Man United's Gareth Southgate reality clear as Erik ten Hag and Aston Villa jibes speak volumes

Gareth Southgate played for Aston Villa for six years and was a member of their last squad that chiselled a year onto their honours board. Still, when his image appeared on the large screen at Villa Park against Manchester United in February, he was booed.

Villa fans are some of the most fickle and inexplicable in the top flight. They felt slighted as Southgate had not utilised Ollie Watkins or Ezri Konsa during England’s previous squad get-together.

Southgate has guided England to a World Cup semi-final, a quarter-final and a European Championship final. A play in Southgate's honour, Dear England, continues to endure as it returns to the National Theatre. Yet Southgate is not a national treasure.

Were Unai Emery to suddenly up sticks for a more glamorous club, Villa fans would doubtless abhor the prospect of Southgate’s return. So would the supporters of most other Premier League clubs.

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Crystal Palace, another of Southgate’s former sides, are represented by four members in England’s European Championship squad. That number would likely dwindle if Southgate ever returned for a homecoming on Holmesdale Road.

Yet this unfashionable manager without club management experience in almost 15 years continues to be heavily linked with sport's most scrutinised institution. The possible scenario of United turning to an available Southgate during the October or November international schedule is one of the doomsday variety for their supporters.

Southgate had a close bond with Dan Ashworth during his influential stint at the Football Association and Sir Dave Brailsford is a