Manchester United pressure mounts on Ruben Amorim as Oliver Glasner emerges as a potential replacement after the Wolves draw.
The fallout from Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers has not faded quietly in the opening weeks of 2026. Old Trafford was flat as a pancake when rock-bottom Wolves, a side with just two points from 18 Premier League matches at the time, left Manchester with a share of the spoils. Joshua Zirkzee's opener was cancelled out by Ladislav Krejci's leveller, and the Red Devils were booed off at full-time. For Ruben Amorim, the result was more than a dropped two points; it was another awkward entry on a growing list of concerns.

The context made the performance sting even more. United had beaten Newcastle United 1-0 on Boxing Day to climb back into top-four contention, and the visit of Wolves looked like a golden chance to build momentum. Instead, Amorim reverted to a five-at-the-back system at home against one of the weakest teams in Premier League history. The Portuguese manager has now had more than a year in charge, and the same old questions are being asked: is there a clear identity, is the tactical approach getting the best from the squad, and can United afford to keep waiting for the penny to drop?
The draw was described as embarrassing in some quarters, and it did not take long for the speculation to shift from Amorim's future to a possible replacement. Journalist Christopher Michel went a step further by naming Oliver Glasner as the man United should pursue. According to GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Fabrizio Romano, the Austrian is set to leave Crystal Palace after deciding not to renew a contract that expires at the end of the 2025/26 season. Michel can see the 51-year-old in the Old Trafford dugout, and it is easy to understand why the idea has legs.

Glasner's work at Selhurst Park has been no flash in the pan. He delivered Crystal Palace's first ever major trophy by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, and he followed that up with a Community Shield win over Liverpool. The Austrian has also helped players kick on. Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz have become top Premier League performers under his guidance, while Eberechi Eze reached a new level before his summer move to Arsenal. That mix of silverware, player development and big-match know-how is exactly the sort of package that appeals to a club like United.
Most impressive of all, perhaps, is Glasner's tactical flexibility. He is willing to change his style of play and his approach both before games and during them, and that adaptability has produced some stunning results for the South London outfit. In a Premier League where rigid systems can be picked apart, a manager who can switch things up is worth his weight in gold. United fans have watched their side look predictable for long stretches, so the idea of a coach who can read the room and react in real time is bound to raise a few eyebrows in a good way.
Palace have hit a sticky patch in recent weeks with three straight Premier League defeats, but they still sit only four points adrift of United with a game in hand. That is a damning comparison for the Red Devils, and it underlines why the Wolves draw felt like a slap in the face. If results like that continue for Amorim, United chiefs will surely have no option but to sack the Portuguese. The clock is ticking, and the patience of the fanbase is wearing thin.
| Factor | Ruben Amorim | Oliver Glasner |
|---|---|---|
| Current mood | Under pressure after a flat home draw | Admired for trophy success and flexibility |
| Tactical approach | Criticised for reverting to a back-five against Wolves | Willing to change style before and during games |
| Recent silverware | Yet to deliver major silverware at United | FA Cup and Community Shield winner with Palace |
| Contract situation | Under contract at Old Trafford | Set to leave Palace when his deal expires |
| Player development | Mixed results | Lacroix, Munoz and Eze have flourished |
Amorim is not the only manager in world football to hit a bump in the road, but the Wolves result had a different feel. It was not a heroic defeat against a giant; it was a timid performance against a side staring relegation in the face. The Red Devils needed to lay down a marker, and instead they let Wolves off the hook. That is the kind of result that can turn a slow-burning debate into a full-blown fire.
Glasner would not be a silver bullet, and no manager is guaranteed to fix United overnight. But the Austrian has the credentials, the charisma and the tactical toolkit to make the job attractive. The next question is whether United make their move before he becomes a free agent in the summer. If they wait too long, other clubs could steal a march. For now, Amorim remains on the hot seat, and the Wolves draw was a stark reminder that in the Premier League, reputations can take a battering fast. United need to get their act together, or the calls for Glasner will only get louder.",
"title": "Manchester United Urged to Swap Ruben Amorim for Oliver Glasner After Wolves Stumble