Man Utd considering Gareth Southgate as Ruben Amorim replacement with ex-England boss among three managers on Sir Jim Ratcliffe's radar

Spain v England: Final - UEFA EURO 2024

Manchester United have reportedly added Gareth Southgate to a three-man shortlist as they weigh up whether to sack under-fire manager Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese is under pressure after presiding over a torrid start which has seen the Red Devils lose four of their opening seven games in all competitions in 2025-26.

Southgate reportedly an option should United sack Amorim

In a new report from talkSPORT, Southgate is reportedly an option for United should they decide to sack Amorim. The report claims that the former England manager was considered when the Old Trafford club decided to hire Amorim in November 2024, with Southgate unwilling to return to club management at that time. He has been out of work since leaving England just two days after their defeat by Spain in the 2024 European Championship final.

Minority owner Ratcliffe makes contact with ex-England boss

However, the report states that United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made fresh contact with Southgate in recent weeks, amid the club’s struggles on the pitch. The report concludes by claiming Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola make up United’s three-man shortlist.

Brentford v Manchester United - Premier League

United have lost four of their opening seven games in all competitions

Pressure has intensified on Amorim following United’s 3-1 Premier League defeat against Brentford on Saturday. Amorim’s side have won just two matches so far this term - against both Burnley and Chelsea in the Premier League - while they also drew with Fulham on August 24. But United have suffered defeats against Arsenal, Manchester City and Brentford in the league, while they were also eliminated from the Carabao Cup in embarrassing fashion as they fell to a 12-11 penalty shootout loss to League Two outfit Grimsby Town on August 27. Since replacing Erik ten Hag in the United dugout, Amorim has won just nine of his 33 league matches in charge of the club. He is also yet to win back-to-back league games at United, 10 months after arriving from Sporting CP.

Amorim insists he can still turn things around at Old Trafford

However when asked if he is concerned about his future following the loss at Brentford, Amorim doubled down on his belief that he can turn things around at United. Speaking to the media after the game, he said: "I am always comfortable with the job. I am not concerned, it is not my decision. I will do the best I can every minute I am here. I am never concerned about my job, I am not that kind of guy.

"I'm always doing my job. If I win, I'm in a different state of mind. That is normal, but I'm always confident because I know what to do. I've always taken a lot of responsibility on your own shoulders. We can play better and we need to play better. It's like ups and downs. When you win, you feel that everything, the momentum is here. When you lose, you go back to the same place and you fight again for one win that can help you to create the momentum.

"I cannot tell you more than I say every time I lose the game. Sometimes you see one team that performs really well and you see improvements. And then sometimes you have some games that you don't see that improvement. That gives you the confidence to say that Manchester United is going to get back. So it's always the same conversation. It depends on the next game. So let's try to win the next game and to improve certain things."

Manchester United v Chelsea - Premier League

Man Utd's next match: Amorim to face tough test against Sunderland

Amorim will be hoping to alleviate some of the pressure surrounding his position when United entertain Sunderland in the Premier League next Saturday. The Black Cats are in fine form, however, with Regis Le Bris’ side having won three and lost just one of their opening six league games.