Brendan Rodgers has broken his silence on the speculation linking him to the Manchester United manager's job.
Rodgers has been tipped to succeed under-fire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.
It is understood the Leicester City boss is the club's preferred candidate as their next manager, with MEN Sport reporting that Solskjaer is still on borrowed time as United manager.
Manchester United's poor start to the season was compounded by a humbling 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford.
A 3-0 win over Tottenham lifted some of the pressure on Solskjaer, but a 2-2 draw with Atlanta in the Champions League was followed by another timid display against Manchester City.
While the pressure continues to mount on Solskjaer ahead of this weekend's trip to Watford, the odds of Rodgers becoming United's next manager have tumbled to 8/11.
And now the former Liverpool manager has addressed the speculation.
Speaking at his Leicester press conference, Rodgers said: "Firstly, it’s really disrespectful for you to ask the question when there is a manager in place at the club.
"Secondly, I can’t comment on it because it’s not real. I’m proud to be here at Leicester City.
"The only thing I’m thinking about is [facing] Chelsea and getting ready for that.
"It’s frustrating for supporters and my players, but from a personal perspective, it’s something that it’s in the modern game, but something I have no focus on whatsoever."
The MEN reported: "A senior club source Solskjaer could remain manager until the end of the season amid a lack of a readily available replacement.
"Rodgers, 48, is under contract at Leicester until June 2023 and United would have to agree on a fee with Leicester to release Rodgers and pay compensation to Solskjaer for his dismissal.
"United figures are said to be impressed by Ajax coach Erik Ten Hag and the Spain coach Luis Enrique, but Rodgers has been provisionally identified as the most suitable successor to Solskjaer."
