The search for Manchester United’s next permanent manager is now underway.
After just 14 months in charge, Rúben Amorim was sacked on Monday following his latest public criticism of Manchester United’s hierarchy.
Despite the dismissal, United remain sixth in the Premier League and firmly in the race for Champions League qualification.
Darren Fletcher has been placed in temporary charge for the next few matches, after which the club is expected to appoint a caretaker manager until the end of the season.
The bigger question remains: who could take over permanently this summer?
Is Premier League proven the way to go?
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner appears to be the favourite for the job. He is out of contract in the summer and would come without compensation – a major plus for United, given they have just paid Amorim £10 million with 18 months left on his contract.
The Austrian has Premier League pedigree and is also a proven winner. He lifted the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt, claiming the impressive scalp of Barcelona along the way. However, the pinnacle of his achievements came when Palace overcame the odds to win the 2024 FA Cup, defeating Manchester City as the Eagles landed their first-ever trophy.
The most important part of Glasner’s skill set is his tactical flexibility – a quality that appears to be a dying art in modern football management.
Initially, his name appearing so high on the shortlist may have worried United fans, and with good reason, given his use of a three-back system. However, a deeper look should ease those concerns.
The Austrian began his managerial career at SV Ried before moving on to work as an assistant at Red Bull Salzburg, where he favoured a 4-4-2 system. He adopted the same approach at LASK, but adjusted his tactical setup after the club earned promotion to the top flight.
Throughout his career, he has interchanged between 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 3-4-3 and 3-5-2. While the formations vary, the principles and patterns remain consistent, adapting to the players at his disposal.
Eddie Howe is another name that will excite supporters. He is arguably the most aligned with the “United way”, favouring front-footed, aggressive and attacking football.
Howe was the architect of Bournemouth’s fairytale rise through the divisions, cementing the Cherries’ place in the Premier League. He also made the impossible dream a reality for Newcastle United fans, guiding them to their first trophy since 1969.
Cesc Fàbregas – a wildcard option?
Cesc Fàbregas’ coaching style mirrors his intelligence as a player, combining possession control with vertical threat and tactical flexibility. At Como, he has primarily used a 4-2-3-1, encouraging structured build-up while maintaining penetration through the inside channels.
Read more: How Barcelona feel about returning Marcus Rashford to Man Utd after Rúben Amorim sacking
Central rotations are a key feature, with one pivot often dropping to support progression as full-backs advance high. In attack, his wingers frequently narrow, allowing the number nine and ten to combine closely and exploit space between the lines, often creating shapes resembling a 4-4-2 or 4-2-4.
Out of possession, Fàbregas’ side usually defends in a compact 4-4-2, pressing aggressively and forcing play wide through coordinated traps.
His approach delivered impressive results, guiding Como to a 10th-place finish in Serie A – their first season back in the top flight for 21 years – and securing the club’s highest league position in decades.
Could the Spaniard be the answer to United’s prayers?
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