Man United are warned Gareth Southgate 'won't want the job' at Old Trafford by former England manager... after reports claimed Sir Jim Ratcliffe made him his number one target if Erik ten Hag leaves

Gareth Southgate wouldn't want to take the Manchester United job if he leaves England - or at least that's what one former England manager thinks. 

United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made Southgate his number one target to replace Erik ten Hag and is confident of luring him, according to the Daily Star. 

Southgate insisted he will refuse to speak to any club while in charge of the Three Lions and the FA are eager to keep him on until 2026 with a fresh deal. 

And Sam Allardyce thinks that even if Southgate did depart the national team job, he would hardly jump into the Red Devils hot seat.

'I’m not so sure if Gareth [Southgate] walked away from the England job that he’d want the job at Manchester United, he’d want a rest!" Allardyce told William Hill.

'He’s feeling the pressure already at England, which is unbelievable at times, and yes it’s alright in the in between periods, but when it’s on, it’s really on.

'The difference with United is that it’s on every day, every week, every month, every year – the intrusion is never ending. I’m not sure he’d want that after all he’s done for England. He certainly wouldn’t want to jump into it straight away.'

Southgate has been in charge of England since 2016 and led them through three major tournaments so far. 

Ratcliffe may well keep Ten Hag in charge of United - and the 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool certainly helped his cause - but every game is a final for the Dutchman from here. 

The i have claimed that Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford are planning to keep him in charge next season - or at least wait until Dan Ashworth joins as sporting director before making a decision - but anything could happen. 

Allardyce added: 'I think the speculation around Gareth Southgate going to Manchester United has come from the new owners that have come in. 

'Sir Jim Ratcliffe has come in and there’s enough pressure at Manchester United as it is being the manager, without that constant nagging in the back of your mind wondering whether Jim is really considering Gareth Southgate. 

I don’t know whether they have sat down Erik ten Hag and said, "Look, this is not going to happen."'

Allardyce managed England for one game in 2016 - a 1-0 stoppage-time win against Slovenia - but was ousted after 67 days following an undercover Daily Telegraph investigation. 

He was the world's highest-paid international football manager and was exposed in a secretly recorded video trying to top up his salary by touting advice on how to cheat strict player transfer rules.

He also mocked his predecessor Roy Hodgson's speech impediment, calling him 'Woy', and branded the FA as being 'all about making money'.