How Man Utd would line up under Gareth Southgate

Cameron Smith

Updated: 10 Oct 2024 10:24 BST
3 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.

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Earlier 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.

This week, the I Paper has detailed that Southgate is the favoured option to succeed Ten Hag if he was to be given the chop.

An appointment may seem unlikely, but Southgate is available having left his post as England manager after failing to win the Euro 2024 title with defeat to Spain in the final.

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

© IMAGO - Southgate has already worked with several United players

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.

Noussair Mazraoui is likely to be handed the right-back spot in favour of Diogo Dalot.

Harry Maguire enjoyed great spells with England even if Southgate did not take him to the recent European Championships. He would be poised next to Lisandro Martinez.

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.

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 Manuel Ugarte would likely partner him. Southgate likes an industrious midfielder and the former Sporting CP man 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, even if the 26-year-old did not make the nation side either this summer. Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for United.