'I've never seen Gareth as a fit for Man Utd' - Gary Neville explains why ex-England boss Southgate would be fighting a losing battle if he replaced Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford

Former England international Neville has repeated his view that ex-Three Lions manager Southgate is not the right man to lead the Red Devils. However, he does believe the 54-year-old would root out the "nonsense" in the club's dressing room.

He told the It’s Called Soccer podcast: “I said last season, I’ve never seen Gareth as a fit for Manchester United or Manchester United to be a fit for Gareth. I’ve never seen it as something that the club would do, I’ve never seen it as something that Manchester United would do. The only connection I see is that (sporting director) Dan Ashworth has worked with Gareth and Gareth has done a very good job with England. Manchester United fans are a bunch of people who have feeling, who have a spirit, and I don’t think they’re connected to this idea yet. Gareth could do exactly what he’s done with England if he was to come in in the next few months or year or whenever it may be, and completely change people’s thinking and change the dynamic around the decision. He would come in – not unusually for him because he came into the England job with not a lot of love – he would be coming into Manchester United with scepticism, there is no doubt about that, from Manchester United fans. He would know that; Gareth has been around the block, he would know that it’s not the most exciting appointment for Manchester United fans to be able to look at.”

Neville added: “One thing Gareth would do is weed out the nonsense in that dressing room."

Ten Hag is under pressure to keep his United job following his side's 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Tottenham last weekend. Southgate has been linked with the Old Trafford gig, if it becomes available, but for now he is enjoying a break after resigning as England boss this summer. It remains to be seen what the Red Devils will do with Ten Hag's position and, if he is sacked, who they will appoint as his successor.

Ten Hag will hope he can turn United's results around when they take on Porto in the Europa League on Thursday, before travelling to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. They currently sit 13th in the table.