Sir Jim Ratcliffe slams 'UNFAIR' UEFA block on signing Jean-Clair Todibo for Man United from Nice - the club he owns - with Red Devils forced to move on from centre-back target

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Manchester United owner Sir Jim Racliffe is continuing his battle with UEFA after revealing they blocked a potential new Red Devils signing.

Ratcliffe, who owns Ligue 1 club Nice and is a minority owner in United, running the football operations, had been butting heads with the body over his clubs' participation in next season's Europa League.

Multi-club ownership has been a topic that UEFA have been hot on over recent months, and rules state that one owner can't have two clubs in the same competiton.

It is anticipated that Ratcliffe will be given a one-season transition period to decide how he wants to fix the problems, with varying reports emerging on if he will sell Nice or put them into a blind trust.

The British billionaire has now revealed during an exclusive interview with Bloomberg, alongside a brutal review of United, that an attempt to transfer a player from Nice to United has been blocked, with it suspected that the player was defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe (pictured) slammed UEFA for blocking United's move for Jean-Clair Todibo

United are looking to sign a centre back and had looked to bring in Todibo (pictured) from Nice

The defender would have been United's first signing since deciding Erik ten Hag would stay on

'They've said we can sell him to another Premiership club,' Ratcliffe said. 'But we can't sell to Manchester United.

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'But that's not fair on the player and I don't see what that achieves.'

United are on the hunt to sign a centre back this summer and have been linked with a move for Todibo, who impressed for Nice in France and has been tipped to join a heavy-hitter in Europe.

The 24-year-old is believed to have featured prominently on United's shortlist of targets but a deal now appears all but impossible this summer as a result of the UEFA rulebook.

According to Fabrizio Romano, talks between the two clubs over a potential move were at an advanced stage, with it looking the defender would become the first signing since the club decided Erik ten Hag would remain as manager.

Todibo admitted he was open to a Premier League switch and it was expected that United would wrap up the formalities with ease due to Ratcliffe's Nice connection.

Quizzed on a potential move to Old Trafford this summer, Todibo exclusively told Mail+: 'It's nice to hear all the compliments. I'm trying to stay focused on my game and my team-mates - but for sure I am open to playing in the Premier League.

'I'm going to keep that for me! Nice try.'

The move was blocked due to Ratcliffe's ownership of Nice, with Todibo open to a move

United will now turn their attentions elsewhere, with a bid for Jarrad Branthwaite turned down

Ratcliffe, 71, is now set to pursue other targets. As reported by Mail Sport, United saw a £43million bid for highly-rated Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite rejected.

It is understood United proposed a fixed figure of £35m with a further £8m in add-ons but this was deemed unacceptable by The Toffees.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils are also continuing talks with Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, who has a £33.7m buy-out clause written into his contract.