One of Manchester United’s former chief scouts has claimed that the club has doubts regarding one top manager candidate for the position in the summer.
It has been just over a week since the sacking of Ruben Amorim, and now the hiring of interim boss Michael Carrick, who takes charge at Old Trafford until the end of the season.
The dismissal has not caused an upturn in form, to the dismay of both fans and the club’s owners, and Darren Fletcher’s two games as temporary boss have shown that the team has a deep-rooted problem that may not be fixed by a change of manager.
Despite this, rumours have been circulating constantly on social media regarding who should take over the role in the summer. It is certain that whoever does will have a tough task on their hands and will require a clear-out of underperforming players.
Thomas Tuchel and Enzo Maresca are two names which have been thrown into the mix, both being former Chelsea managers, with Maresca specifically having a point to prove after being let go by the Blues on New Year’s Day.
One man has been linked with the job for multiple months due to his overachievement in the Premier League at the start of the season. However, it seems the higher-ups at Manchester United are now having doubts about their leading candidate.
United having doubts about Glasner
Oliver Glasner is currently in charge of Crystal Palace, who sit in 13th place in the Premier League, but after a terrific start to the season, could be in a completely different situation if it weren’t for a downturn in form, where they are currently six games without a win in the league.
The Austrian coach has been linked with the United job after seemingly transforming the South-London side over the past couple of seasons, but is currently facing a tricky patch with the team he has won the FA Cup with.
Glasner’s stock has fallen in recent weeks, especially after being beaten by Macclesfield in the FA Cup, a side that currently plays in the National League North, England’s sixth tier of football.
Speaking to Football Insider, former United chief scout Mick Brown revealed that red flags had been raised by the club’s higher-ups following Palace’s decline in form.
“Oliver Glasner is one of the leading candidates, but all of a sudden, Palace go to Macclesfield and lose there, and they’re in this terrible run of form, so it raises questions and puts doubts in your mind.
“Man United will be having second thoughts about whether he is the right man for the job. Of course, they don’t have to make a decision until the summer with Michael Carrick coming in, so they have time to assess and keep an eye on their different options.
“Ultimately, managers are judged based on results, so their stock can rise and fall very quickly.”
United must make correct appointment in the summer
Michael Carrick being revealed as the interim boss of the club until the end of the season will bring much-needed stability to the club, at a time when the players, fans and owners have never been more divided.
However, INEOS giving themselves until the end of the season to decide on a manager for their long-term vision will also bring huge pressure, and they will have to ensure they pick someone who suits the players and excites the fans.
Read More: Why Darren Fletcher rejected Michael Carrick coaching role as Man Utd backroom staff confirmed
Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel are both German managers with solid reputations that have been linked with the job, but are still divisive throughout the fanbase, whereas Glasner has seemingly been pushed aside as a result of Palace’s poor form.
Whoever assumes the role will have a difficult task on their hands and will hope that Carrick can provide a solid end to the campaign, potentially securing European football, to ease tensions around Old Trafford at the time of their arrival.
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