Liverpool is Oliver Glasner’s Man United audition – the three things he must do to pass
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be taking notes back at Old Trafford as Crystal Palace line up to face Liverpool at Selhurst Park.
Football Insider understands that Man United have created a shortlist of Ruben Amorim replacements, with the current boss under severe pressure just six games into the new campaign.
Man United claimed all three points against Chelsea last time out, which was seen as a vital victory after losing to Man City quite convincingly the week before, but the manager is not yet out of the woods.
Oliver Glasner, on the other hand, is flying high with his Eagles, sitting fifth in the Premier League table after five matches, and is supposedly one of the figures being considered by the Red Devils.
Football Insider revealed Palace are making efforts to keep Glasner at Selhurst Park, but when Liverpool visit on Saturday, 27 September, he may well view it as a chance to impress United.
This is how the 51-year-old provide evidence that he can take over from Amorim…
Prove he can outthink the world’s best
Arne Slot‘s team are currently sitting atop the Premier League table, unbeaten after five games, which the Reds have only ever achieved three times since the competition began in 1992.
Not even Newcastle United and Arsenal managed to salvage anything from their meetings. Glasner, however, has already proven himself against the Reds in the Community Shield, and doing so again would be a huge tick in Ratcliffe’s boxes.
Only a handful of managers have gotten the better of Slot since his arrival in England. If Glasner were to join that list, that would be clear evidence that he can do what Amorim has so far failed to do.
The match-up is likely to be more like a game of chess than anything else. Compete, frustrate, adapt — they’ll be key if the Eagles are to pull off a win.
Show Crystal Palace can punch above their weight
As already mentioned, Palace beat Liverpool at Wembley Stadium just last month, and that was a huge message to Steve Parish that the club can finally begin to move forward and build.
The Eagles have been stuck in mid-table for far too long, leaving fans frustrated, but after securing European football last season on a limited budget, it is no wonder that so many are impressed.
Palace have only avoided defeat in five of their last 18 meetings with the Reds. Improving that record would not only be a huge boost to his current club but also a major green flag for those at United.
Man United are showing positive signs under Amorim, but fans have become impatient and are out for blood.
With the Red Devils likely to be looking for a new manager soon, Glasner will be feeling the pressure, but can he handle it?
Handle being under the spotlight
The Red Devils clearly made the wrong choice hiring Amorim mid-season from Sporting. The Portuguese manager has already hinted he’s thought about quitting due to the demands.
It seems Amorim was unaware of the pressure that comes hand-in-hand with the job at Old Trafford, and the hierarchy cannot make that same mistake again.
There is absolutely nowhere to hide at Old Trafford. If things start to go wrong, Glasner needs to take responsibility and own up, which Amorim has seriously struggled to do during his 10 months in charge.
Therefore, Palace’s starting lineup against Liverpool, as well as Glasner’s substitutions during the game, and tactics will all be dissected by the onlooking supporters, rivals, opposition fans, and most importantly, Ratcliffe and Co.
Coming up against the reigning Premier League champions on their own turf, all while being linked with the soon-to-be vacant manager job at Man United, is a huge chance for Glasner to prove himself worthy.