MANCHESTER United full-back Denis Irwin is in the running for a player-coach role in Steve McClaren's new regime at Middlesbrough.

Republic of Ireland international Irwin, 35, is leaving Old Trafford on a free transfer this summer after 11 years and could figure in McClaren's plans.

United assistant boss McClaren has agreed to become Boro's new manager and will rubber-stamp the deal when he returns from a two-week family holiday.

McClaren's move to the Riverside signals a major clear-out, with manager Bryan Robson, assistant Viv Anderson and first-team coach Gordon McQueen all going, and head coach Terry Venables' association with the club finally being severed.

McClaren is due to jet out to Florida today after holding further talks with Boro chief executive Keith Lamb on Wednesday.

Lamb was yesterday expected to link up with Boro chairman Steve Gibson in Singapore to attend an Under-35 tournament.

Robson was also scheduled to join them, but it was unclear whether he had made the journey.

United have still to agree compensation with Boro for the loss of McClaren, who had a year to run on his contract.

But sources close to McClaren insist that won't prove a problem.

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe has confirmed that the Saints, like West Ham, had been in the hunt for 40-year-old McClaren.

Lowe said: "We did have a chat the other day, but he is just one of many I have spoken to or will be speaking to.

"Steve is a very able coach and a man we felt we should talk to. But I am not really disappointed.

"We have not put applicants in any kind of order, so it would be wrong to say he was our main target.

"It seemed he was going to West Ham and now I am informed by the media that he has chosen Middlesbrough.''