Arsenal icon Paul Merson has voiced his doubts over Oliver Glasner’s suitability for the Manchester United managerial role, suggesting the current Crystal Palace boss’s tactical preferences might not align with the squad at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are in the midst of another turbulent Premier League campaign under the stewardship of Ruben Amorim, following their unprecedented low finish of 15th last season. Pressure mounts as United languish in 14th place, fresh from a disheartening 3-1 defeat to Brentford.
Amorim’s tenure appears increasingly fragile, with rumours swirling that United fear his imminent resignation. Meanwhile, reports suggest Glasner is eyeing the managerial position at Old Trafford, having declined yet another contract extension with Crystal Palace.
Competing against Glasner for the coveted post are Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler, Fulham’s Marco Silva, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, and former England manager Gareth Southgate – all rumoured contenders linked to leading the Theatre of Dreams.
Despite the speculation, Merson has reservations about Glasner being the right choice for United should they part ways with Amorim. Speaking to Sky Sports, he lauded Glasner’s tenure at Selhurst Park, acknowledging his tactical astuteness and even-keeled temperament but expressed concern over Glasner’s preferred three-at-the-back setup, which he deemed incompatible with United’s current squad.
Glasner’s tactical approach has thrived at Palace, where the players are adept at adapting to such formations, a contrast to the squad dynamics at United. For Merson, this underscores why Glasner might not succeed there.
While Merson concedes that Glasner’s managerial versatility could mitigate some concerns, the fit remains fraught with challenges. Yet, he acknowledges the allure of Manchester United’s global status, a beacon even amidst current struggles, suggesting the pull of such a role might be too tempting for any manager to ignore.
As United fans await clarity and direction, the managerial merry-go-round continues, with Glasner’s potential candidacy a subject of robust debate. Whether United pursue now or in the future, any prospective manager faces a daunting yet coveted challenge.
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