"If Man Utd come knocking" - Pundit does not rule out Kieran McKenna leaving Ipswich Town for Old Trafford | OneFootball

Despite going three Championship games without a win, Ipswich Town are on the verge of promotion to the Premier League, and sit at the top of the table with just three games remaining.

Having won promotion from League One to the Championship last season, the Tractor Boys are aiming to become the first team to earn back-to-back promotions from the third tier to the Premier League since Southampton in 2012.

Regardless of the outcome of the current campaign, Kieran McKenna has done a stellar job as manager at the Suffolk outfit, and was named as the Championship manager of the year at Sunday night's EFL awards.

The incredible work of McKenna at Portman Road has not gone unnoticed, as Manchester United were credited with interest in the Northern Irishman by Football Insider.

Fellow Premier League outfit Brighton are also reportedly interested in McKenna's services, while the future of current Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi remains uncertain.

For now, the 37-year-old remains committed to the Tractor Boys, and said that he is going to "give it everything" in his attempt to win promotion to the Premier League.

Pundit discusses McKenna's future amid Premier League interest

Pundit Carlton Palmer exclusively told Football League World: "Kieran McKenna has picked up the Championship manager of the year award so deservedly.

"He's on the brink of taking Ipswich back to the Premier League, to back-to-back promotions, which is an unbelievable feat.

"All the plaudits he's getting, he deserves.

"He's come out, and reiterated, even though he's linked with Manchester United and Brighton, his commitment to Ipswich Town.

"This is great for Ipswich Town and their supporters, but you would expect the manager to say nothing else.

"I mean, listen, if Man Utd come knocking, he will be going to Man Utd, let's not kid ourselves about that.

"He's well-backed by the board and the owners of Ipswich Town, they are very wealthy, so I don't think he's going to go anywhere like Brighton.

"You know, De Zerbi has done a fantastic job at Brighton, but I think Ipswich will kick on again, even in the Premier League next season.

"I do think so, if Kieran stays there, his style of management, the fact that the owners have backed him, so I wouldn't see him going to a club like Brighton.

"I'd only see Kieran leaving Ipswich to go to one of the big, top clubs.

"So, Liverpool's available, and from all accounts it looks as though the Man United job is going to become available.

"So, yes, he's saying all the right things and that's the right thing to do, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him as manager in the dugout for Manchester United next season."

The Tractor Boys look set to be under pressure

McKenna's men were due to play Coventry City on Saturday 20th April, but due to the Sky Blues' historic run to the FA Cup semi-final, the Tractor Boys do not have a fixture this weekend.

Therefore, the Portman Road outfit are not in Championship action again until Saturday 27th April, when they face a trip to Hull City, who are chasing a top-six spot.

Due to Coventry's FA Cup progress, by the time the Tractor Boys are next in action, both Leicester and Leeds will have played two fixtures, so McKenna and co are likely to have ground to make up in the promotion race.