Manchester United’s search for a permanent successor to Ruben Amorim has taken a bizarre twist, and once again, Jurgen Klopp is at the heart of the drama.
While Michael Carrick continues to work wonders as interim boss, United’s long-term targets are being shifted by a potential “resignation” from the former Liverpool manager. Klopp, currently the Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull, is reportedly on the verge of walking away from his franchise role a move that could trigger a domino effect reaching Old Trafford.
The Oliver Glasner Connection
The man tipped to replace Klopp at the Red Bull empire is none other than Oliver Glasner. The Crystal Palace boss, who has already announced he will leave Selhurst Park this summer, was high on United’s shortlist to take over in July.
However, according to Salzburger Nachrichten, the Red Bull franchise has earmarked Glasner as their primary choice to fill Klopp’s shoes. If Glasner opts for a return to the Red Bull system (where he previously served as an assistant at RB Salzburg), United would lose one of their most experienced candidates.
Doubts Emerging at Old Trafford
While Glasner’s odds for the United job recently halved, the tide may be turning. Sources via the i paper suggest senior officials at Old Trafford are increasingly unconvinced by the Austrian:
- Form Slump: Palace’s post-Christmas collapse has damaged his reputation.
- The “Amorim” Comparison: There are fears within the board that Glasner is at a similar level to Ruben Amorim a risk United cannot afford to take twice in one season.
The Michael Carrick Factor
As the “big names” like Glasner, De Zerbi, and Nagelsmann are debated, Michael Carrick is making himself impossible to ignore.
- The Run: 5 wins and 1 draw in 6 games.
- The Table: United are now 4th, firmly in the Champions League spots and breathing down the necks of 3rd-placed Aston Villa.
The “Carrick Effect” has stabilized a dressing room that was in freefall, and with the club posting a £32.6m operating profit, the hierarchy may decide that the best “signing” for the summer is already in the building.
The Verdict: A Summer of Uncertainty
With Klopp potentially exiting Red Bull and Glasner’s stock falling at Palace, the managerial landscape is shifting daily. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have maintained that no decision will be made until the end of the season, but if Carrick secures a Top 4 finish, the “curveball” thrown by Klopp might just result in United sticking with their own.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
