Can Mathys Tel play for Man United in Europa League? UEFA rules explained amid transfer links

Manchester United are among a number of Premier League clubs that are being linked with a move for Mathys Tel.

The forward has decided to leave Bayern Munich in search of more regular first-team football this month. He appeared to say his goodbyes to supporters following his side’s 3-1 Champions League victory over SK Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday night.

Following that game at the Allianz Arena, Bayern sporting director Max Eberl confirmed the 19-year-old had told the club he wanted to be allowed to leave. He said: "He has said he would like to leave. Now we have to think about whether we will do it and what we will do."

Along with United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are claimed to be interested in signing Tel before Monday’s deadline. But the good news for the Reds is that if they do win the race to sign the Frenchman, then he would be able to play for them in the Europa League knockout stages.

An article on the UEFA website states: “Teams remaining in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League are allowed to register a maximum of three new eligible players after the completion of the league phase and before the start of the knockout phase.

“Additionally, clubs participating in domestic championships that start and end in the same calendar year are entitled to additional player registrations in certain cases.

“Since 2018/19, it no longer matters whether those players have already played in the competition for another club, even for another club still in the competition.”

Before the article adds: “Clubs have until 24:00 CET on Thursday 6 February to communicate their desired squad changes. Once all teams' changes are approved by UEFA in each competition, the full list of ins and outs will be published on UEFA.com.”

United conclude their Europa League group phase campaign against FCSB tonight. Ruben Amorim’s side are currently fourth in the league phase table, two points clear of ninth-placed Galatasaray, meaning a win will guarantee qualification.

The top eight will automatically progress to the round of 16. Should United not finish in the top eight, then they will have to play a two-legged play-off next month.