Paul Merson believes that Manchester United would be making a mistake if they sought to replace Ruben Amorim with Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner.
Amorim is under increasing pressure after a sluggish start to his first full season in charge at Old Trafford.
Last weekend’s lacklustre defeat to Brentford means Amorim is still yet to win successive league games since replacing Erik ten Hag last November, amassing just 33 points from 34 games in that time.
And while United are publically keeping faith with the Portuguese head coach, reports have suggested that the club are drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements should they eventually decide to sack Amorim.
Palace boss Glasner is one name who has been heavily linked after helping guide the Eagles into Europe after their victory in the FA Cup last season.
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The Eagles are also now unbeaten in 18 games and are the only team not to lose in the league this season after their 2-1 win over Liverpool last weekend.
However, despite his credentials, and success playing a similar formation to Amorim, Merson believes United should look elsehwere if they do decide to part ways with their current head coach.
‘He’s a brilliant manager. He doesn’t get too up and doesn’t get too down. It’s very impressive,’ Merson told Sky Sports.
‘He’s put a team together and they are all very comfortable in their positions. Everyone knows their job in the team. He has the players for the system and that’s huge.
‘Let’s say Ruben Amorim was manager at Palace now, he’d half have a chance of being a success. Palace have the players to play three at the back. They have the attributes in their squad to play in that system.
‘For me, that’s why I’d be concerned about Glasner going to Man Utd. He’s a three-at-the-back man and it is being proven that it is a system that just doesn’t fit the players at Man Utd. Glasner is not a good fit for Man Utd.
‘Of course, I’m sure he’d be adaptable, and he’s proven with how he handles the players, but the system he uses is just all wrong for United. Amorim can tell you that.’
Glasner is only under contract at Selhurst Park until the end of the season, and has voiced his frustration at Palace’s lack of transfer activity over the summer.
However, the Austrian was coy when recenly asked about reports linking him with United job.
‘I follow all the rumours – and that’s all there is – neutrally and completely relaxed,’ he told German magazine Kicker.
‘Focusing on the daily work with my players and coaches, and trying to enjoy it as much as possible.’
Meanwhile, former United defender Paul Parker urged United to be bolder with their potential replacement for Amorim and said current Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti could thrive in the role.
‘I’ve seen Ancelotti has been mentioned,’ Parker told Metro. ‘That could be his agent pushing because he’s not enjoying life in Rio. Maybe he’s not ready to be an international manager yet and has still got that buzz to be around football every day.
‘If Ancelotti was available, you’d try to get Ancelotti. From what he’s achieved already, five Champions Leagues, he’s a don of football.
‘Everyone would love him. The club would be bigger than any other club in the world off the back of that. They’d get more attention than any other club.’
from: elfutbolero.us