Gareth Southgate and Manchester United bosses have been spotted as fresh links emerge with the next manager

Gareth Southgate featured in Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday night as he continues to be linked with Erik ten Hag’s success.

Goals from Michael Olise (2), Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell consigned the Reds to their 13th Premier League defeat of the season and spoiled their chances of finishing the campaign in the European qualification places .

United are currently eighth in the Premier League table and as a result the Ten Hag face an uncertain future as Sir Jim Ratcliffe prepares to continue his overhaul at Old Trafford this summer.

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According to Foot Mercato, Southgate has been identified as the front-runner to be United’s new manager and could be appointed after England’s Euro 2024 campaign ends in July.

At Selhurst Park on Monday, Southgate was seen speaking to Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish before his former side inflicted United’s heaviest defeat of the season.

But despite reports of Ten Hag’s success at United next season, the reason behind Southgate’s presence will have been primarily to assess the performances of Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount, as well as Palace’s English contingent, including Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton ahead of this summer’s European competition. Championships in Germany.

Alongside Southgate, United’s newly appointed technical director Jason Wilcox was also present. He joined United from Southampton last month after previously working at Manchester City, and has been at Selhurst Park with interim CEO Jean-Claude Blanc.