SOUTHGATE: My focus on England only

GARETH SOUTHGATE has insisted there will be no “conversations” about the Manchester United job while he is England manager.

That would appear to rule him out of the running to succeed Erik ten Hag because United would need to line up a manager at the end of the season if they do decide to make a change.

But Southgate has doubled down on his commitment and focus in leading England into the Euros this summer with no distractions.

The 53-year-old England boss is unquestionably on United’s radar as they scour replacements. But the Old Trafford hierarchy may have to look elsewhere – potentially at Thomas Tuchel – if they want to appoint in the summer.

Southgate, whose contract expires in December, told ITV News: “I’ve got one thing to focus on. That’s having as successful a tournament with England as possible. Everything else outside of that is a complete irrelevance to me.

“If I start talking about that, then I’m already distracted from what I’m doing. So, I think the country would expect that my focus is on England, and rightly so it is.

“We’ve had three tournaments where we’ve taken the public on a brilliant ride. I think we know that and I know that you’ve got that desire to go that one step further, and this is a brilliant opportunity for us to do that.”

Southgate knows talking behind England’s back would be a recipe for disaster. He has enough on his plate especially with injuries, although an expanded 26-man squad may allow him to take a chance on the likes of Luke Shaw now.

Southgate said he will “decide whether 26 is the right amount”, adding “there’s no point in taking more players than we need”.

Harry Kane expects to be fit before the end of the season despite missing Bayern Munich’s game last weekend with the back injury which also forced him out of the Champions League semi-final defeat.