Manchester United have reportedly picked their chosen candidate to replace Ruben Amorim but several other names remain in the pipeline. The former Sporting boss was relieved of his duties on Monday in a bombshell development, less than 24 hours after he lashed out at United’s top brass in an extraordinary press conference. Following the draw at Leeds United, he challenged those above him to let him do his job without interference, hinting at issues behind the scenes.
United, however, have insisted that Amorim was sacked purely for footballing reasons and not because of any power struggle. They now face the prospect of yet another rebuild, just as the team was starting to show signs of progress under Amorim. Darren Fletcher has taken charge on a temporary basis, with a permanent appointment not expected to be made until the summer.
Four potential managers have already been identified by United, according to The Independent, with Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner emerging as the standout choice.
His success at Selhurst Park has raised plenty of eyebrows, with last season’s FA Cup triumph helping him to emerge as one of the most coveted names on United’s list.
Glasner is reportedly seen as a top candidate to replace Amorim, but there are some stylistic questions over whether he is suited to managing a team that would seek to dominate possession.
The report adds that United will also assess some of the names they looked at before Amorim was appointed, including Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna.
He was targeted by the Red Devils two years ago, having cut his teeth in coaching under the likes of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but ultimately decided to sign a new contract with Ipswich.
United will make clear to any candidate that the head coach will continue to function within a wider structure, which suggests that McKenna could be an appealing choice for such a role.
Enzo Maresca, who recently left Chelsea after a press conference outburst of his own, is also admired by those in power at Old Trafford.
However, he continues to be linked with a potential vacancy at Manchester City amid questions over the long-term future of Pep Guardiola.
Julian Nagelsmann is also mentioned as an outsider for the job, given that he knows United’s recruitment director Christopher Vivell from their time together in the Red Bull network.
It is claimed that United are likely to wait until the summer to appoint a new permanent manager, but much will depend on how quickly Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to complete that process.
As a result, it would not be a surprise to see Fletcher remain in charge until the end of the current season.
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