Gareth Southgate's stance on replacing Ruben Amorim as Man Utd manager revealed

Former England boss Gareth Southgate would reject an approach from Manchester United if Ruben Amorim is sacked. The ex-Three Lions chief was a leading contender to become United boss back in March 2024, when the club's top brass considered axing Erik ten Hag.

However, Southgate wouldn't let anything come between his focus on that summer's European Championships, where he led England to the final. United were keen on talking to Southgate, but he refused all advances. Ten Hag stayed, won the FA Cup and was handed a reprieve, only to be sacked last November, with Amorim taking the helm.

After England's Euros display in Germany, Southgate elected to stand down and has since taken a break from the game. He has not returned to football since, instead focusing on speaking engagements and motivational work. Interestingly, he has also secured a job hosting a show for the BBC.

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It's understood that Southgate is NOT in any rush to return to football. However, he is keeping his options open - both within the game and outside.

He's been seen at numerous matches, as well as other sporting events, in recent months, and remains close with a number of his former FA colleagues.

However, Southgate is also close friends with Dan Ashworth, who had a long term plan to appoint Southgate when he worked at United. Ashworth lasted just five months in his role as sporting director.

Current United boss Amorim is coming under increasing pressure following his team's shambolic start to the season. The Red Devils have won just two of seven games in all competitions and crashed out of the Carabao Cup at the hands of minnows Grimsby Town.

United bosses insist Amorim still has their full support and that, as it stands, there are no plans are in place to sack him. United have also distanced themselves from claims the club has made direct contact with Southgate.

They host high-flying Sunderland this weekend before the international break, after which Amorim's men face a daunting trip to bitter rivals Liverpool.

If the Portuguese doesn't pick up a win in either of these games, Ratcliffe might be left with no choice but to consider getting rid - despite that face that sacking Amorim and his backroom staff would cost United in the region of £15m in compensation.

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