Jordan Pickford answers Gareth Southgate to Manchester United ‘noise’ with character admission

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has said that the England squad is not affected by speculation over Gareth Southgate's future, with the national team boss linked with a move to Manchester United this week.

The Three Lions, who have reached the World Cup semi-finals and quarter-finals and were runners-up in Euro 2020 under Southgate, are favourites to win the European Championship this summer.

Southgate's contract with the Football Association ends this year, and Euro 2024 could be his last tournament as England manager. Despite talk of interest from Manchester United, Southgate says he is focused on winning in Germany.

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Pickford, who was given his England debut by Southgate in November 2017, added: "Us as players, and I think the manager and the staff, that's all our goal is, to be focused on winning the European Championship.

"I think all the noise around anything else will probably come after that. His character has not changed," the 58-cap goalkeeper said.

"He's a top man manager and he's got a great set of staff around him. The training's always good with the manager and everything we do is good."

Southgate is currently working with Pickford and his team-mates ahead of England's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, when the Everton goalkeeper could be joined on the pitch by some familiar faces - including United-linked Branthwaite.

The Everton defender was part of the England side that won last summer's Under-21 European Championship, and his Toffees teammate Pickford has given Red Devils fans