Southgate gets next Man Utd backing as Keane reignites Ferguson feud – Footymercato.com

Manchester United’s focus continues to be on what the club will look like from next season.

Erik ten Hag is attempting to land a spot in next season’s Champions League and bag a trophy, but whether he’ll be in the dugout next season remains to be seen. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already begun bringing in people off the pitch and is potentially drawing up a list of managerial candidates.

United have been unable to build on last season’s promise with the team continuing to be inconsistent. Sunday’s FA Cup win over Liverpool was a high point of the season as the club continue to plan for the future. Here’s the latest from Old Trafford.

Southgate gets United backing

Gary Neville and Roy Keane both believe Gareth Southgate would be a solid candidate to become the next United boss as questions continue to hang over the future of Ten Hag.

Ratcliffe could yet opt for a change in the dugout and he’s also looking to bring in Dan Ashworth, who has a relationship with Southgate following their time with England. The Three Lions boss is yet to commit to the national team beyond the Euros this summer.

Keane said: “His connection with Dan Ashworth, who he has worked with previously. Yeah, I’m not that surprised with it (the links).” Neville claimed: “I never saw Gareth Southgate as a Manchester United manager, psychologically, I never saw that. I can see it now.”

Keane reignites Fergie feud

Keane took a swipe at Sir Alex Ferguson after it was claimed the former United boss used to pull his players out of international duty towards the end of the season. The former skipper has not spoken to Ferguson since he was forced out of Old Trafford in 2005 after a bitter fall-out.

Neville claimed the ex-United boss used to withdraw his players from England friendlies during the title run-in. Responding to Neville’s claim, Keane said he would be “ashamed” to tell players they were not allowed to represent their country.

“When I was a manager, and obviously players were getting called up, I’d be ashamed of my life to tell a player that he couldn’t go and play for his country,” he said. “You might say it’s a different challenge at Manchester United, but I still think you’re a manager and when a player gets an international call up, you should be happy for them because it’s a dream.”

£40m Casemiro replacement eyed

The Red Devils are weighing up a move for Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes – who could make his Brazil debut against England. United are looking to sign a holding midfielder this summer – with Casemiro likely to leave – and have identified £40million-rated Gomes as a potential replacement for his fellow Brazilian.

Gomes has been watched by United on several occasions this season, most recently earlier this month, when Wolves beat Fulham 2-1 at Molineux in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old, signed by Wolves for £12m from Flamengo in January 2023, is expected to be handed his first cap for Brazil against Gareth Southgate’s side at Wembley on Saturday. Gomes, a combative central midfielder nicknamed ‘The Pitbull’ in his homeland, has also attracted interest from United’s Premier League rivals Tottenham and Newcastle.

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