Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to replace Erik ten Hag with Gareth Southgate this summer – and the appointment would have a varied impact on Manchester United stars.
Southgate is currently focused on leading England at Euro 2024, but his contract with the FA is set to expire in December and he has held off signing a new one for the 2026 World Cup. Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford have canvassed the opinions of United legends and settled on the 53-year-old as their preferred candidate to lead the INEOS era on the pitch.
One of the ticks in Southgate’s box is the feedback United have had from their players in the England squad. So while he has not been involved in club management since being sacked by Middlesbrough in October 2009, Ratcliffe believes his personable approach will suit United.
Whether it suits the entire United squad is another question altogether. Were INEOS to bite the bullet and commit to paying Ten Hag and his staff the £10million compensation due to release them a year early from their contracts, which players would welcome Southgate’s arrival, and who would know their days were numbered? Mirror Football takes a look at the two camps.
Winners
United’s England players are likely to be happy if Southgate is appointed as United boss this summer. The former defender has been in charge with England since 2016 and has built up a strong relationship with his core players, who include Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford.
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Southgate has shown unflinching loyalty to Maguire, who kept his place in England’s defence despite his struggles at the start of the season. “It is the responsibility of a coach to protect their players,” Southgate said in October after Maguire was targeted by trolls. “He is treated in a strange way.” Maguire lost the captaincy to Bruno Fernandes in the summer, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the centre-back regain some status if Southgate arrived.
Another plus point for the England boss is his reputation for trusting and developing young players. That can only be a good thing for the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, who joined the senior England squad for the first time on Tuesday. It is also likely to suit 19-year-old defender Willy Kambwala, who has broken into the first-team set-up and made six appearances this season.
Kobbie Mainoo will work with Gareth Southgate after being called into the senior England squad (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Mason Mount has finally returned from his lengthy injury lay-off and would also welcome Southgate’s arrival. “He’s a top player. He can receive (the ball) under pressure,” the England manager said in October when explaining why he hadn’t made his squad. “He’s intelligent with his movement. He’s, of course, still learning. In a tactical game where it’s just as important defensively what the forwards do, to have a player like him who can do both sides [is important].”
Jadon Sancho was jettisoned by Ten Hag, who ruthlessly froze him out of the squad and shipped him off to Borussia Dortmund on loan at the first opportunity. Sancho doesn’t want to play for the Dutchman again and would be open to moving back to Germany permanently, but Southgate might be able to rectify that mess by offering an olive branch.
Rasmus Hojlund is another player who looks a good fit for Southgate. The Denmark international has a great attitude and a willingness to learn. Southgate had honed Harry Kane's skills at international level. Maybe he can work his magic on Hojlund too.
Jadon Sancho's Manchester United career could be revived by Gareth Southgate (Ulrik Pedersen/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Which players would benefit from Gareth Southgate's arrival at Manchester United? Comment below.
Losers
Ratcliffe has been open in his criticism of United’s recruitment policy in the past and specifically name-checkedCasemiro as the kind of deal he wouldn’t sanction. He outlined his transfer plan for the summer this week, making clear it is all about having the right people in the right positions to make decisions.
Southgate fits into that plan because, as an international manager, is used to working with the players he has, rather than lusting after others. The Three Lions boss is an amiable person to work with and a highly-regarded coach. He will be supplied with a younger squad and INEOS are already plotting to overhaul the squad whether he arrives or not.
Casemiro is only 32 years old, but his £350,000-a-week contract makes him vulnerable, especially since Mainoo broke through. Christian Eriksen has admitted he is unhappy under Ten Hag’s management and, with just 12 months left on his contract, is hardly likely to become a key player under Southgate.
Casemiro's place in the side would be in doubt if Gareth Southgate arrived at Manchester United (Getty Images)Raphael Varane is another ageing and expensive player who could be moved on or phased out under Southgate. The 30-year-old has struggled with injuries since arriving from Real Madrid and the riches of Saudi Arabia may prove tempting for club and player.
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Antony has not proven value for money since his £86m move from Ajax in the summer and being closely associated with Ten Hag will make him even more vulnerable under Southgate. Unlike fellow Ten Hag signing Lisandro Martinez, Antony hasn’t given much evidence that he has what it takes to turn things around.
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