Lee Sharpe has backed Unai Emery to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United but dismissed speculation linking Gareth Southgate to the job.

There are significant uncertainties surrounding Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford, and if he doesn’t achieve success in the FA Cup, he could lose his job.

United are expected to make it to the final, with Coventry City being their semi-final opponent, but Manchester City or Chelsea could pose a tough challenge in the final.

Manchester United haven’t secured a win since the international break, experiencing setbacks with draws against Brentford and Bournemouth, and suffering a defeat to Chelsea after conceding two injury-time goals.

The Red Devils did salvage a draw against their arch-rivals Liverpool, but it was yet another uninspiring display from a team currently placed seventh in the Premier League.

United will have to decide whether to continue with Ten Hag or pursue a different direction. If they opt for the latter, Sharpe suggests that Emery would be an excellent replacement for the Dutchman.

Emery faced difficulties in his initial Premier League tenure with Arsenal However,since joining Aston Villa in late 2022, he has propelled them from the lower reaches of the table to contention for Champions League qualification.

‘If I were choosing and Erik ten Hag was to go, Unai Emery would be at the top of my list,’ Sharpe, who won three Premier League titles at Manchester United, told DAZN.

‘I think given the support and the full backing, he could replicate what he’s done at Villa. I think he’d be a class manager for United.’

There have been rumors linking current England manager Southgate with the Old Trafford position, but Sharpe is concerned that such a move would not be beneficial for either party.

Southgate aims to break England men’s drought for a major trophy at this summer’s Euros. It’s unclear whether he would continue in his role if the Three Lions either win the tournament or underperform in Germany.

‘I don’t think Gareth Southgate is a Man United manager,’ added Sharpe, who made more than 200 appearances for the Red Devils during the 1990s.

‘I’m not sure he’d want it, given the position and the state that the club is in at the moment. It’s not something where you come in and somebody’s already made a success of it and you just come in and keep it rolling on.