Glasner expected loyalty from Parish over Guehi transfer - now he must return it amid Man Utd links

Oliver Glasner must now show the same loyalty he expected of Steve Parish to Crystal Palace amid links with Manchester United. United may have a decision t make in the near future, with Ruben Amorim under real pressure following a disappointing start to the season.

Amorim did not manage to turn things around after taking over last season, and similar to Graham Potter at West Ham, he has also seen his side start this season in less than ideal form.

Clubs typically expect a period of transition, but owners do not like to see bad performances after money has been spent in the summer, and in United’s case, that money involved a couple hundred million, with signings like Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha made in the summer.

The Red Devils could remain patient, but it seems patience is running thin, and Amorim is now likely fighting for his job with only seven points on the board after six games.

One of the early favourites for the United job should Amorim leave is Crystal Palace boss Glasner, who has done a superb job at Selhurst Park. Glasner has won the FA Cup, qualified for Europe and enjoyed relatively successful Premier League campaigns. Glasner’s Palace are still unbeaten across all competitions this season, with the Eagles beating leaders Liverpool over the weekend.

Glasner has been a loyal servant for Palace, and one of their best managers to date, but there may be a decision to be made if United come knocking. Glasner himself responded to the links over the weekend, saying: “I follow all the rumours – and that’s all there is – neutrally and completely relaxed. Focusing on the daily work with my players and coaches, and trying to enjoy it as much as possible.”

Glasner must stick to his own principles

Glasner has had an excellent spell at Selhurst Park, although it hasn’t always been a smooth ride. The Austrian was left upset by the events of deadline day when Marc Guehi was not properly replaced and then not allowed to leave despite having a medical.

Back then, there were reports aplenty that Glasner expected Palace chief Steve Parish to show him loyalty by investing in the squad to make sure the likes of Eberechi Eze and Guehi were properly replaced, and to bolster the squad ahead of a European campaign. He also begged for Guehi to be kept, which the club showed real courage in doing in the face of choosing between £35million and a potential free departure.

Glasner values such things, and he must now show the same loyalty to Palace by seeing out his contract at Selhurst Park. He has something good in South London, while he would walking into a mess at Old Trafford, joining a team, yes, with a bigger upside, but one that may well finish below Palace again this season if things continue along the same line.

As things stand, his current contract is up at the end of the season, and while a departure in the summer would devastate fans, few could hold it against Glasner if he decided to leave the club at the end of his deal to secure a well-deserved step up to the very top should a job come up. Glasner certainly deserves one of those top-level jobs after proving himself across recent years, including at Eintracht Frankfurt.

But to leave now with just under nine months remaining on his deal, and to leave this Palace side that has so much potential at a critical point in their progression, that would be a huge blow and a poor display of loyalty. Quite frankly, it just wouldn’t be a very Oliver Glasner thing to do, and it’s very likely he will see it the same way.

He is too proven a manager to worry about missing an opportunity. His time will come, and his contract situation means he is free to pursue it as soon as the end of this season.

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