Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner backed for Manchester United job after Ruben Amorim sack

Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim, with Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner in the running for the job according to the bookies

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is the early favourite to replace Ruben Amorim after the Portuguese was sensationally sacked by Manchester United.

The former Sporting CP boss joined United in November 2024 and leaves the Red Devils sixth in the top flight after a 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday.

"With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change," the club said in a statement on Monday. "This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.

"The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future. Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday."

Glasner is the 7/2 favourite to be appointed next Man Utd manager, according to Betfair. Gareth Southgate is priced at 5/1, while Mauricio Pochettino is 15/2.

Betfair spokesperson James Mackie said: “Oliver Glasner is 7/2 favourite for the United job, being out of contract in the summer. Gareth Southgate is 5/1 second-favourite having been out of work since Euro 2024 finished, with Unai Emery 9/1 as his Aston Villa side sit third in the table.”

Amorim's exit comes after the 40-year-old stressed he is Manchester United’s manager rather than just the coach during an eye-catching press conference in which he told the scouting department and sporting director “to do their job”.

“Guys, to start with that – and I noticed that you receive selective information about everything – I came here to be the manager of the Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United,” Amorim said. “And that is clear.

“I know that my name is not (Thomas) Tuchel, it’s not (Antonio) Conte, it’s not (Jose) Mourinho but I’m the manager of Manchester United. And it’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decides to change, so that was my point. I want to finish with that. I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.”

Glasner is out of contract at the end of this season and at this time, his future remains uncertain. He spoke about his contract situation last month and admitted Palace's hectic fixture schedule meant there has been "no time" to speak internally about his future.

"Believe me, I'm never thinking about my future right at the moment. It's not important right now," he said.

"I know there are so many rumours. But I don't know how many clubs I managed in the last three months and I'm still sitting here. As soon as we take a decision, number one, the players will hear it, and, number two, (the media) will hear it."