Minnesota United's Eric Ramsay reportedly linked with recently-relegated Southampton's vacant manager role

Minnesota United have defied expectations since Eric Ramsay's arrival last season, gaining plaudits around MLS. It appears Southampton have also been paying attention.

The former Manchester United assistant is reportedly linked with the vacant role at The Saints, a side already relegated in this season's Premier League. Ramsay was contacted by Southampton, according to the ESPN report, but the manager recently played down the rumor, saying, "It's news to me. Nothing I would comment on here."

Southampton sit 20th and are trying to avoid matching 2008's Derby for the lowest point total by a Premier League side. The Saints have 11 points, which matches Derby's output, but have four matches to fight for pride. Ramsay, if hired, would be a part of the club's push to return back to England's top flight.

ESPN also reported other sides are interested in the 33-year-old manager, the youngest head coach in the North American top division.

READ MORE: Ramsay talks to GOAL about his unique approach to Tactics and success with MNUFC

Ramsay appeared to play down the speculation in an interview with BBC.

"I am self-aware enough to know I am by no means the finished article as a head coach," he said. "I wanted an experience that was going to give me the best chance to develop, the opportunity to make some mistakes, and manage something that feels big. It feels like there is scrutiny on MLS. There is media to deal with. There is pressure you have to deal with exist, albeit not to the same extent as England."

"The Championship would have been equally as testing, if not more so, but with that constant nagging doubt, looking objectively, that there is a much shorter life-cycle for guys who go into that league. All round this was a relatively sensible decision," Ramsay told BBC in discussing opportunities in MLS vs. the Championship.

Minnesota will travel to Texas to face Austin FC in a highly-anticipated matchup between two of the West's top teams on May 3.