Manchester United are leaning towards appointing a permanent replacement for Ruben Amorim in the summer.
Amorim was dismissed as head coach on Monday after a disappointing 14 months in charge. The Portuguese coach leaves with the lowest win percentage (32%) of any Manchester United manager in the Premier League era.
Amorim was viewed as one of the best up-and-coming coaches in Europe at the time of his appointment in November 2024, but has struggled to implement his methods successfully at Old Trafford. A refusal to adapt his preferred system were criticised as poor results continued.
United are determined to get their next appointment right and are prepared to wait for the right coach. Darren Fletcher has been placed in interim charge and the Red Devils are willing to let the Scot see out the season.
According to the Independent, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is seen as a ‘top candidate’ to replace Amorim.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Manchester United see Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner as a top candidate to succeed Ruben Amorim, as they currently lean towards a summer appointment of a permanent coach.
There is also appreciation for the job that Enzo Maresca has done at Chelsea.… pic.twitter.com/3MieewU9T2
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 5, 2026
The Austrian led Crystal Palace to their first-ever major trophy last season and previously won the Europa League at Eintracht Frankfurt. However, it may be difficult to prise Glasner from Palace mid-season.
One available candidate is Enzo Maresca, who left Chelsea on New Year’s Day. The ex-Manchester City assistant departed after a fallout with the club’s board, despite leading the West Londoners to Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs in 2025.
There is understood to be an appreciation of Maresca’s work at Stamford Bridge within the Manchester United board.
Read – How the internet reacted to Ruben Amorim’s sacking at Man United
See more – Manchester United sack Ruben Amorim as head coach
