Man United 'highly UNLIKELY' to pursue Gareth Southgate after his England exit - as the club views an ex-Chelsea boss as their top target if things go wrong with Erik ten Hag

Manchester United would be ‘highly unlikely’ to swoop for Gareth Southgate – even if the club were to endure a disastrous start to the season and part ways with Erik ten Hag.

Mail Sport understands that Old Trafford officials have thrown all their energy into backing the Dutchman after deciding to keep him earlier this summer and hand him a 12-month contract extension.

The club’s focus is on ensuring Ten Hag is given all the tools he needs to succeed and there are no plans to replace him. Last week they completed their first signing of the window when Ten Hag’s compatriot Joshua Kirkzee penned a £36.5m from Bologna.

A central defender and midfielder are likely to follow the striker, while extensive work to upgrade the club’s training ground remains ongoing.

However, even if a worst case scenario unfolds and the current incumbent is shown the door, former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to be first in line.

While Southgate has admirers at the club, including at the highest level following Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’S taking of a 25 per cent stake, insiders say it is ‘highly unlikely’ that he would take over should a need for a new manager arise.

In June, Ratcliffe held talks with Tuchel in Monaco before United decided to put their faith in Ten Hag. 

At the summit, the German outlined how he would approach restoring United to the top, along with his strategy for doing so. 

It is thought he impressed Ratcliffe during the conversation but the overriding emotion of Tuchel, who was sacked by Bayern Munich after spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, was that he needed a break from football.

Should he remain available - and should United feel the need to act - his arrival at Old Trafford would not come as a surprise.