Gareth Southgate was invited to Sir Dave Brailsford's star-studded birthday party amid rumours that Manchester United are considering appointing him as their next manager.
Brailsford has become a key figure at Old Trafford since Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a 25 percent stake in the Red Devils. The former cycling guru is acting as Ratcliffe's man on the ground at United and is conducting a review of the club's structure.
One of Ratcliffe's biggest decisions in the coming months is the future of Erik ten Hag, amid his disappointing second season in charge. If he decides to ditch the Dutchman, Ratcliffe is expected to pursue Southgate.
The England boss has enjoyed a highly successful spell in charge of the national team and will lead the Three Lions into Euro 2024. But his future after that point is up in the air and a move to Old Trafford could be on the cards.
Those rumours will only ramp up after Southgate received an invite to Brailsford's 60th birthday dinner. According to the Daily Telegraph, Southgate attended the dinner alongside incoming United sporting director Dan Ashworth.
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Legendary former Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson was also invited to the dinner at a London venue. The dinner was a private social event, though it is claimed that football matters were talking about among the guests, who also included Arsene Wenger.
Brailsford turned 60 on 29 February, with United said to be 'extremely relaxed' about the dinner it was never meant to be kept secret. The news of Southgate's invitation comes after he was linked to the United job.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Would Gareth Southgate be a good appointment by Manchester United? Comment below.
Brailsford has become a key figure at Manchester United since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's arrival (Getty Images)But the England boss angrily dismissed those links ahead of his side's defeat to Brazil last Saturday. He reiterated his commitment to the Three Lions and insisted it is 'disrespectful' to question Ten Hag's future.
"I think there are two things from my point of view, one is that I'm the England manager, I've got one job basically -- to try and deliver a European Championship. Clearly before that, there are two important games this week," he said.
"Second thing is, Manchester United have a manager and I think it is always completely disrespectful when there is a manager in place. I'm president of the LMA [League Managers' Association] so I don't have any time for that sort of thing really.
"I think I've answered this every time I've sat with you. My focus is the European Championship. If we did a contract here before then everybody would be saying, 'Why are you signing a contract before a Euros where you've got to prove yourself?'
"I'm certainly not going to speak to anyone else, I never have. I've been eight years in the job and would never entertain speaking to anyone else while I'm in a job, so I don't know if that answers your question."
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