Sir Dave Brailsford hosted a 60th birthday dinner at which Gareth Southgate, Dan Ashworth, and Premier League managers sat around the table in an incredible football summit, the Telegraph Sport can reveal.

Brailsford, who plays an important role at Manchester United as director of Ineos Sport, celebrated his leap-year birthday in a London venue with long-time associates, including some of sports’ most illustrious and accomplished figures.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, and Roy Hodgson were all in attendance, as were Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino and Brentford’s Thomas Frank.

While the dinner was a private social affair rather than a club engagement, it is understood that football-related topics were discussed informally among guests.

Brailsford has been a major role at United since Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of Ineos, purchased £1.03 billion in the club for a 27.7% interest and control over football operations.

Since Ratcliffe’s investment, he has been spotted visiting matches, sometimes sitting close to Ferguson in the directors’ box, and the club is attempting to reach an agreement with Newcastle to hire Ashworth as sports director.

Brailsford turned 60 on February 29, and United is really easygoing about the dinner because the birthday celebration was never meant to be kept secret.

The occasion demonstrates the caliber of friends Brailsford has made since his triumph with British Cycling and Team Sky.

England manager Southgate has been a member of the “Leaders P8,” a knowledge platform that connects people at the highest levels of sport.

As previously revealed by Telegraph Sport, this includes a WhatsApp group including Brailsford and Wenger. Eddie Jones, the former England rugby coach, has also joined the group.

During the international break, Southgate responded strongly to reports linking him with the United job, arguing it was “completely disrespectful” while Erik Ten Hag remains in charge at Old Trafford.

He will take England to Euro 2024, his fourth major tournament as manager, and has committed not to speak with any clubs until after the event.

If a deal with Newcastle is reached, Ashworth will be near the top of the United football hierarchy. His reputation was established at the Football Association, where he supervised junior teams winning tournaments and Southgate’s senior squad reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, before joining Brighton the following year.