Gareth Southgate: England manager hits out at 'completely disrespectful' links to Manchester United job

England manager Gareth Southgate has said reports linking him with the Manchester United job next season are "completely disrespectful" to Erik ten Hag.

There have been reports in recent weeks which claim that new United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering parting ways with Ten Hag at the end of the season and sees Southgate as the ideal candidate for the Old Trafford job.

After guiding the team to a first major trophy in six years and a third-placed Premier League finish in his debut campaign, Ten Hag appears to be under pressure after United's underwhelming season so far.

The Red Devils were dumped out of Europe earlier this term and now sit nine points off the top four spots with a game in hand.

However, United could yet salvage their season and make the FA Cup final for a second successive campaign when they meet Coventry in the semi-finals next month.

Southgate's current deal with the national team runs out at the end of the year but speaking in his Friday press conference ahead of the friendly against Brazil, he said he intends to focus on England ahead of Euro 2024.

"There are two things from my point of view," he replied when asked about the reports linking him with a move to Manchester. "One is that I'm the England manager. I've got one job: to try to deliver a European Championship.

"The second thing is Man United have a manager. It's always completely disrespectful when there's any speculation about a manager that's in place.

"I'm president of the LMA so I don't have any time for that sort of thing really."

When asked about his future plans, Southgate added: "I think I've answered this every time I've sat with you. My focus is the European Championship.

"If we did something a contract here [with England] before, everybody would be saying, 'why are you signing a contract before a Euros where you've got to prove yourself'.

"I'm certainly not going to speak to anybody else ahead of that. I never have. I've been here eight years in the job. I wouldn't entertain speaking to anybody else when I'm in a job."

Southgate is preparing the Three Lions for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium but revealed that his squad is suffering from an injury crisis.

It was confirmed that England captain Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and Jordan Henderson will miss Saturday's match against Brazil, while Southgate said Kane could also miss the Belgium clash on Tuesday.

Bukayo Saka also had to withdraw from the squad on Thursday due to injury but there is excitement around United youngster Kobbie Mainoo who earned his first senior call-up this week.

"I spoke last week that we were conscious of his development," Southgate explained. "How quickly should we go? You've always got to try to make the right steps at the right time with young players.

"But an opportunity presented itself and for us he was the next player in. He's fitted in brilliantly with the group, his level of training has been excellent. We won't hesitate to put him onto the pitch."

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