Roy Keane and Gary Neville can envisage England boss Gareth Southgate succeeding Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager.
Ten Hag’s future at United has been put under the microscope following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a minority stake in the club.
United are currently positioned sixth in the Premier League, but last weekend’s 4-3 win over Liverpool means we’ve got an FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City to look forward to.
There is belief that Ten Hag’s job could be at risk if United fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
That has led to United being linked with several managerial candidates, including Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and former Chelsea boss Graham Potter.
Another name reportedly attracting attention from Ineos Sports group is England manager Gareth Southgate.
Two former United players have spoken about seeing Southgate as United manager one day.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Roy Keane said: “Well, obviously everyone’s thinking he’s probably going to be with England this summer if he has a good [European] Championship, thinking if they could win it. And if they don’t, then maybe they’re thinking you’ve ran your race with him.
“His connection with Dan Ashworth, who he has worked with previously. Yeah, I’m not that surprised with it.”
United are set to appoint Ashworth as their new sporting director, but he is currently on gardening leave at Newcastle. Rumour has it he will be up for award for Britain’s best garden by the end of the year.
Gary Neville weighed in on the conversation, saying: “I never saw Gareth Southgate as a Manchester United manager, psychologically, I never saw that.
“I can see it now, now Dan Ashworth has come in. I just think, what does Erik ten Hag need to do to stay as Manchester United manager? So, for instance, is the FA Cup enough, or does he need to get top four, or top five, Champions League?”
All of the noise surrounding Ten Hag’s future won’t help anybody. I genuinely hope he is backed into a third season as United manager.
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