Why Gareth Southgate was at dinner with Sir Dave Brailsford and Dan Ashworth amid Man United links

England boss Gareth Southgate was reportedly invited to Sir Dave Brailsford's big birthday bash.

The news comes as rumours swirl that Manchester United might want the Three Lions boss as their next manager. Sir Dave Brailsford is a significant figure at Old Trafford now that Sir Jim Ratcliffe owns a quarter of the Red Devils.

Brailsford, who used to be a cycling whizz, is Ratcliffe's right-hand man at United and is analysing how the club is run. One of the big choices Ratcliffe has to make soon is what to do about current United boss Erik ten Hag, who has struggled badly in his second season in charge. If Ratcliffe decides to make a change, Southgate could be under consideration.

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The former Middlesbrough manager has been praised for some of his work as England manager and will lead them into Euro 2024. But his future after the Three Lions is currently unclear.

The rumours are only going to get louder now that Southgate has been invited to Brailsford's 60th birthday dinner. The Daily Telegraph reports that Southgate went to the dinner with Dan Ashworth, who could become United's new sporting director.

Sir Alex Ferguson was also invited to the dinner in London. Even though it was just a friendly get-together, people reckon there will have been lots of football chat among the guests, which also included Arsene Wenger.

Brailsford celebrated his 60th birthday on February 29, and it's understood that Manchester United are totally fine with the dinner that was not supposed to be a secret. The news about Southgate