Football Manager 2024 predicts Gareth Southgate to endure shocking reign at Man Utd

The arrival of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era has brought about plenty of questions on the future of Manchester United.

While everyone is worrying about the summer transfer budget, INEOS also have to make a decision on manager Erik ten Hag. While there has been no concrete suggestions he could be facing the sack, Ten Hag's future is far from clear as reports suggest United are keeping tabs on a whole host of managers across the globe.

One such manager on the radar is England boss Gareth Southgate, who has been out of the club game since his departure from Middlesbrough in 2009.

So, how would Southgate's time at United go? We put it to the test in Football Manager 2024...and let's just say, it wasn't pretty.

A five-game pre-season is there to ease Southgate into life in the Old Trafford dugout, but it serves more as a warning of things to come.

A 2-0 win over Ludogorets, a 0-0 draw with West Brom and a 2-1 win over QPR is a cautious start to things, but United draw their final two warm-up fixtures 1-1 against both Atalanta and PSG. Antony scored his side's goal against the French giants, but you won't be hearing his name much from this point onwards.

The Premier League season arrives and first on the schedule are Tottenham Hotspur, who head to Old Trafford with their own new manager in the form of Ange Postecoglou.

Southgate's United, lining up in a 5-2-3, manage just 35% possession in a 2-1 defeat.

Harry Maguire with a 7.2 rating. Of course.

A 1-0 loss to Brentford immediately follows the Spurs defeat, but Southgate turns things around quickly with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace that starts a run of 11 games unbeaten.

United see off Chelsea 2-0 and pick up encouraging 1-1 draws with both Liverpool and Napoli before a 3-1 triumph over