FORMER Saints midfielder Carlton Palmer believes it would be a "massive blow" if director of football Jason Wilcox departs the club to join Manchester United.

The Red Devils have made an official approach for the 1994-95 Premier League winner, who began working at Saints last summer.

News broke of the approach in the minutes leading up to the clash with promotion-rivals Ipswich Town on Monday.

Speaking to Football League World, Palmer claims it is a testament to the job he has done at the club that Man United are interested in him.

Palmer said: "This is a massive blow for Southampton, who had been going great guns. They still have a chance of promotion through the playoffs. 

"Obviously, when you do a good job, clubs like Manchester United and Manchester City are going to come knocking and want to take your staff to make them the best club they could be."

Monday's 3-2 defeat to Kieran McKenna's side has left Saints 12 points off the automatic promotion spots.

The ex-England international insists their recent form has cost them in the latter stages of the season.

Palmer continued: "Southampton, after a magnificent run in the early part of the season, have now faltered in the second half of the season.

"I think that late defeat to Ipswich has certainly put Southampton out of the running for the automatic places, in my opinion.

"They will have to settle for a place in the playoffs and, whoever settles in the playoffs, whoever goes up, the three best teams in the Championship are Ipswich, Leeds and Leicester.”

Russell Martin's side travel to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, April 6 and still have to go to Leicester and Leeds before the end of the campaign.