Gareth Southgate breaks silence amid Man United links and pundit's 'deal is done' claim

Gareth Southgate insists that his focus remains on England ahead of Euro 2024 amid links with the Manchester United manager job.

Southgate has been one of a few names to be connected with the Old Trafford dugout with current boss Erik ten Hag facing pressure to keep his job. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to make a decision on the Dutchman’s future, and ex-Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer says one current player hinted that Southgate has been lined up.

Talking to beIN Sports, McAteer said: "I had a conversation with him [the player] on Friday, I bumped into him because I live just outside the area... and I asked him about the end of the season and what his thoughts are.

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"He gave me no inclination that the manager was there to stay. In fact, we spoke about different names and who he thought would be a good fit.”

When pressed, McAteer added: "Yeah, that was the name [Southgate]. Footballers have an inclination when the manager’s job is on the line and they obviously know and I just got the feeling that it’s done, it’s done."

MEN Sport understands that Ratcliffe is not wholly sold on Ten Hag as United’s long-term manager, having refused to assess his tenure publicly. The coach could oversee United’s worst ever Premier League finish after exiting the Carabao Cup - which he won last season - and the Champions League before Christmas.

United have won just one of their last eight League games following Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal. Meanwhile, Ratcliffe has sanctioned a boardroom overhaul since his official arrival in February: Jason