Manchester United are reportedly resigned to the fact that it is unlikely they will be reinstated in this year's UEFA Champions League.

The possibility was talked of after FIFA threatened to expel all Swiss teams from European competitions.

However, an Old Trafford spokesman said in the Daily Express: "We are not holding our breath over this. It does seem a very long shot."

Football officials from the Swiss game are understood to have met with FIFA already and Basel vice-president Bernhard Heusler is desperate to avoid expulsion, saying: "I am confident that we will play Bayern Munich (the team Basel drew in the Champions League knockout stage) but I take the threat very seriously."

United will play Ajax in the Europa League last 32 unless they are reinstated.