How Man Utd would line up under Gareth Southgate

Updated: 19 Mar 2024 22:00 GMT
4 min read

Gareth Southgate, Man Utd, England — © IMAGO

England manager Gareth Southgate has been sensationally linked with replacing Erik ten Hag at Manchester United if the Dutchman is sacked this summer.

The Daily Star claims that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not convinced Ten Hag is the right man to take the Red Devils forward, and the INEOS billionaire has settled on Southgate as the top option to replace the former Ajax head coach.

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An appointment may seem unlikely, but Southgate could become available this summer if he leaves his post as England manager once EURO 2024 ends.

If Southgate is selected as the next Man Utd manager, how could the Red Devils line up next season?

How would Man Utd line up under Gareth Southgate?

Andre Onana may have had some shaky moments in the early weeks of his Man Utd career, but he has settled now and looks an assured choice in goal.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has never been selected by England during Southgate’s time in charge, which suggests the Three Lions boss isn’t a huge fan of the Man Utd star; as a result, Diogo Dalot is more likely to be handed the right-back slot.

Harry Maguire would be a guaranteed starter under Southgate at Man Utd given his continued presence in the England XI and Jarrad Branthwaite’s recent call up to the senior Three Lions side suggests Southgate is a fan of the Everton man too.

As FootballTransfers have reported, Branthwaite is one of Man Utd’s priority targets for the summer window and Southgate would certainly endorse his arrival at Old Trafford.

Luke Shaw has endured multiple injury issues over the past year, but he is England’s first-choice left-back when fit and he would be Southgate’s chosen left-back at Man Utd too.

Gareth Southgate to Man Utd.

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In midfield, Kobbie Mainoo has done enough to earn a senior England call up and his place in the Red Devils midfield is secure, while Scott McTominay would likely partner him. Southgate likes an industrious midfielder and McTominay epitomises that with his work rate.

Bruno Fernandes would likely keep his place in the position Jude Bellingham has thrived in for England, with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford remaining on the wing.

Harry Kane is still a target for Man Utd and if he becomes available this summer, the Red Devils would be interested in signing him, FootballTransfers understands. Southgate would certainly push to bring the England captain into the Old Trafford set-up, even though Rasmus Hojlund has shown massive potential this season.