Southampton FC manager Ralph Hasenhuttl downplays Manchester United speculation

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Stephen Emerson

Credit: Southampton FC

Southampton FC manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has downplayed speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United.

St Mary's defender Jan Bednarek said in an interview that he could see his boss one day become manager of a "bigger team" while pundits Paul Scholes and Glenn Hoddle have also talked about the Austrian's suitability for the Old Trafford job.

Hasenhuttl worked alongside interim Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick at RB Leipzig with the latter set to take up a consultancy role once a new appointment is in place.

The 54 year-old has attracted plaudits for Southampton's performance this season with the club currently sitting tenth in the Premiership after securing a 1 - 1 draw with Manchester United and a win over Tottenham Hotspur last week.

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Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “This is not in my mind and also not the things that are interesting me.

“I don’t want to speak about my future every week.

“Last week we spoke about different things, and this week we should be speaking about the game we have now against Everton.

“This is more interesting for me, my whole focus and whole energy is on this game. Anything else I will leave to other people.”

Southampton will host Frank Lampard’s Everton on Saturday, in the first of four home matches in their next five league and cup fixtures.

Jan Bednarek is expected to be fit for the Premier League clash against Everton on Saturday after an injury scare at Old Trafford.

The Polish international was substituted at half time against Manchester United as a precaution after he felt a tightness in his quadriceps muscle.

Ralph Hasenhuttl said confidence at the St Mary's club was high.

"We are in a good mood if you want, we have had some tough games in the past weeks,” he added.

“We’ve lost only against Wolves and the rest was very tough, Manchester City, Tottenham, Manchester United.

“Staying unbeaten was a massive step forward for us definitely. But that doesn’t mean that life is easier now, definitely not.

“Teams are coming where you think points can be possible, but it’s definitely not easier.

“We know the upcoming fixtures are super tough for us. But the level we have shown is the level we are demanding now. And we have to keep on going the way we have in the last few games.”

Manchester United are still on the look out for a permanent manager following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November.

Alongside Hasenhuttl, current Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is also being linked with the role.

Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset. Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users. He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.