UEFA have blocked Manchester United from signing their top transfer target this summer.
Manchester United's bid to sign Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice has been thwarted by UEFA regulations.
The governing body's rules on multi-club ownership prohibit teams with shared ownership structures from conducting transfer deals between themselves, even if they've qualified for the same competitions.
UEFA blocks Manchester United move for Todibo
As Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United's new minority shareholder, also holds a controlling interest in Nice, the Red Devils have been forced to abandon their pursuit of Todibo, who was earmarked to replace the departed Raphaël Varane.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Ratcliffe said:
"They've said we can sell him to another Premiership club but we can't sell to Manchester United.
"But that's not fair on the player and I don't see what that achieves."
United will focus their attentions firmly on Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and are expected to return with an improved bid after having their first offer turned down.
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