Former Aston Villa defender eyed by Manchester United in surprise link

Former Aston Villa defender Gareth Southgate has been identified as a potential managerial candidate for fellow Premier League side Manchester United if Erik ten Hag was to be dismissed, according to a report by The Daily Star.

The current England boss, who is 53-years-old, is being linked with a shock switch to Old Trafford.

Southgate has been in charge of the Three Lions since 2016, having previously been with the Under-21's for three years before getting the top job.

He is currently preparing for the upcoming European Championships in Germany this summer but his contract at Wembley expires next winter meaning his long-term future is up in the air.

England boss

His chances of remaining with England are likely to depend on how his side get on in their upcoming tournament.

Southgate played for Aston Villa from 1995 to 2001 after joining them from Crystal Palace. He went on to play 243 games for the Midlands outfit in all competitions and scored eight goals, helping them win the League Cup in his second season.

He then left for Middlesbrough which is where he ended his playing career and started his managerial one.

Southgate guided England to the semi-finals of the World Cup back in 2018, the final of the Euros in 2020 and then the quarter-finals of the last World Cup.

Manchester United could see him as the man to take them forward but nothing will be decided until later this year. The Red Devils are in the final four of the FA Cup after beating Liverpool last time out.