Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim and are in the hunt for a new manager, as they look to keep pace with the top five.
The Red Devils currently sit sixth in the Premier League, joint on 31 points with Chelsea who currently sit fifth, which is likely to once again be a Champions League qualification spot.
Therefore, Manchester United saw it the best option to part ways with Amorim, after drawing their last two games, looking to make a change early and give themselves their best shot at clinching Champions League football.
In this article, we’ll cover
Oliver Glasner
The first option who Manchester United could turn to is Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, who has proven himself in England already, winning the FA Cup last season, followed by the Community Shield at the start of this season.
Glasner currently sets up in a 3-4-2-1 at Palace, similar to the shape Amorim has deployed this season, utilising flying wing-backs and inside forwards.
However, the Austrian coach has made it clear in the past that he is willing to adapt his system based on the players at his disposal, even stating a 4-4-2 was his favourite formation.
Glasner could start by implementing a similar 3-4-2-1 shape with high flying wing-backs and two inside forwards, but is more tactically adjustable than Amorim, which would allow Manchester United to change from game to game.
One of the biggest benefits from Glasner becoming head coach would be his ability to make a team tough to beat, coaching a strong but aggressive mid block, which can emphasise quick and direct counter attacks to generate their own chances.
Enzo Maresca
Another manager who left their post last week, therefore making them an option for Manchester United to replace Amorim, is Enzo Maresca.
The ex-Chelsea head coach achieved a top four finish last season, also winning the UEFA Conference League, followed by the FIFA Club World Cup, winning two trophies in his first year.
However, after a breakdown between himself and the owners/directors at Chelsea, the Italian left his post at the London club.
Maresca is a coach who comes from the Pep Guardiola lineage, with an emphasis on positional play, a clear identity of his.
The Italian has shown in his three years coaching at the senior level, he prefers to line up with a 4-2-3-1, inverting one of his fullbacks into midfield, creating a box midfield while keeping both of his natural wingers high and wide.
Someone like Mazraoui would be key for Maresca, to invert inside and create an overload in the midfield, while the left-back could tuck into the back three, allowing Shaw to play a similar role on the ball as he did under Amorim.
The main issue for Maresca would be the lack of a 1v1 left-winger, which would likely mean one of Amad Diallo or Bryan Mbeumo would have to play on the left, until this area could be addressed.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
The last option could be the most likely, at least for the rest of this season while the Manchester United decision makers evaluate the best strategy going forward.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already had a stint as Manchester United manager from 2019-2021, taking charge of 149 games and averaging 1.79 points per match.
His principles of play largely align with what many fans would refer to as “the United way”, looking to play fast attacking football, with quick combination play, dynamic movement and aggressive counter pressing.
Setting up in a 4-2-3-1, Solskjaer’s lineup would likely emphasise his best attacking players being in close proximity, looking to get the best from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, with the likes of Diallo and Mbeumo stretching the pitch with runs in behind.
While the midfield would likely lack legs to begin with, using Mainoo alongside Casemiro, even under Amorim it was clear another midfielder was needed for the squad, and a positive sign is the fact Solskjaer used a double pivot of Scott McTominay and Fred during his tenure.
Bringing Solskjaer back on an interim basis to get the team firing again and the fans onside could be a good move, before looking to bring in a slightly better tactician in the summer to work on those foundations.