Gareth Southgate, the England manager, criticizes the ‘utterly disrespectful’ rumors connecting him to the Manchester United position.

England manager Gareth Southgate has dismissed reports linking him with the Manchester United job as “completely disrespectful” to current manager Erik ten Hag. Recent rumors suggest that United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering replacing Ten Hag with Southgate at the end of the season.

Despite guiding United to their first major trophy in six years and a third-placed finish in the Premier League last season, Ten Hag is under pressure following a disappointing campaign. The Red Devils were eliminated from Europe earlier this season and currently sit nine points adrift of the top four with a game in hand. However, they still have a chance to salvage their season by reaching the FA Cup final when they face Coventry in the semi-finals next month.

Southgate’s contract with the national team expires at the end of the year, but he made it clear in his press conference ahead of the friendly against Brazil that his focus is on England and the upcoming Euro 2024. He expressed his frustration with the speculation surrounding his potential move to Manchester, stating that it is disrespectful to discuss a manager who is currently in place.

As the president of the LMA (League Managers Association), Southgate emphasized that he has no time for such rumors. When asked about his future plans, he reiterated his commitment to the European Championship and stated that he would not entertain any discussions with other clubs while he is still in his current role.

In addition to addressing the Manchester United rumors, Southgate also provided an update on the injury crisis within the England squad. He confirmed that captain Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, and Jordan Henderson will all miss the upcoming match against Brazil. There are concerns that Kane may also be unavailable for the clash against Belgium on Tuesday.

Southgate acknowledged the need to carefully manage the development of young players like Palmer but highlighted the opportunity that has arisen for him to join the squad. Despite the injury setbacks, Southgate expressed confidence in the team’s ability to perform and stated that they will not hesitate to give young players a chance on the pitch.

Overall, Southgate’s focus remains firmly on the European Championship and leading England to success in the tournament. He is determined to prove himself and will not entertain any distractions or discussions about his future until after the Euros.