Qudus SalihuIn the wake of Ruben Amorim’s sudden dismissal from Manchester United on January 5, 2026, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has emerged as the frontrunner to take the reins at Old Trafford. Interestingly, Glasner had already provided what many consider a “blueprint” for his interest in the role during a series of revealing comments made earlier this season.
As speculation intensified throughout late 2025, Glasner was vocal in his defense of the tactical setup at United, specifically the 3-4-3 system that Amorim struggled to perfect. “It’s really funny talking about the 3-4-3 system,” Glasner remarked back in November. “We are playing the same system at Palace, so it looks like it’s a good attacking system. It’s all about what you do with it and how fluid you are.” These comments were widely interpreted as Glasner signaling his compatibility with the squad Amorim left behind—one that has seen over £200 million invested in players specifically suited for that formation.
The Austrian, who recently led Palace to a historic 2025 FA Cup victory and a Community Shield title, has also reportedly expressed that he would take the United job “in a heartbeat” if a formal offer were made. This sentiment is reinforced by his current contract situation; with his deal at Selhurst Park set to expire this summer and no extension signed, Glasner represents a strategically convenient and tactically aligned choice for the INEOS hierarchy.
While Darren Fletcher has taken over as interim manager following Amorim’s explosive final press conference, reports from The Independent and The Telegraph suggest Glasner is the “top target” for a permanent appointment. His praise for United’s underlying statistics and high xG during the autumn months suggested he saw a potential in the squad that Amorim could no longer reach.
For Manchester United fans, Glasner’s public defense of the club’s “increased work-rate” and tactical potential under a back-three system suggests he is a manager already mentally prepared to step into the pressure cooker of Old Trafford. As the formal search begins, Glasner’s previous words have set the stage for what could be the most significant managerial appointment of the 2026 season.
Qudus Salihu
Rabiu Aminu
