Revealed: Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'confident' of luring Gareth Southgate to Man Utd with England boss emerging as his No.1 choice to replace Erik ten Hag after consulting club legends

Despite Southgate's existing contract with the Football Association (FA) set to expire in December, he has deferred discussions about his future until after Euro 2024. According to Daily Star, this delay has allowed Ratcliffe to make a move and lure the England boss to Old Trafford to revitalise the club's fortunes under the new leadership. It is believed that the Red Devils must pay around £800,000 in compensation for Southgate to the FA and they have asked the tactician to inform them soon about his decision so that the club can look for alternative options for next season.

Ratcliffe's confidence in Southgate's suitability for the role has been bolstered by consultations with Manchester United's revered former players, who have overwhelmingly endorsed the England manager. Additionally, Southgate enjoys support from key figures within the club, including some current players and incoming director of football Dan Ashworth, with whom he shares a close relationship from their time together at the FA.

The prospect of leading United presents an enticing opportunity for Southgate to return to club management since he left Middlesbrough in 2009.

While Ten Hag's tenure at United has seen some success, including a potential FA Cup triumph and Champions League qualification, Ratcliffe harbours doubts about his ability to steer the club towards sustained success. And hence, despite the financial implications of parting ways with Ten Hag - as it would see the Dutchman earn £10m in compensation if shown the door - Ratcliffe's priority lies in appointing a manager capable of orchestrating a resurgence for United.

As United fans eagerly await developments in the managerial saga, the allure of Southgate's potential arrival at Old Trafford adds another layer of intrigue to an already captivating narrative. The 53-year-old will return to the dugout with The Three Lions on Saturday during a friendly against Brazil at Wembley.