Man Utd have key role in Liverpool transfer plan with Ruben Amorim sack decision

Liverpool and Manchester United are long term rivals, but the latter could unwittingly assist the Merseysiders with one of their transfer targets

If Manchester United decide to part with Ruben Amorim and appoint Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, they could inadvertently aid Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi. Glasner, 51, recently handed Arne Slot his first defeat of the season after Palace clinched a 2-1 victory with goals from Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah, either side of Federico Chiesa’s equaliser.

With Palace sitting pretty in second place and maintaining an unbeaten start to the new campaign, Glasner’s reputation is on the rise. Meanwhile, United suffered a 3-1 away loss to Brentford, piling more pressure onto Amorim.

Post-match, Glasner artfully dodged questions about recent rumours linking him with a move to United. If United were able to sway the FA Cup winner to Old Trafford, they could find themselves helping Liverpool’s pursuit of Guehi.

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TalkSPORT recently claimed Glasner is part of a three-man shortlist also featuring ex-England manager Sir Gareth Southgate and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. If United were to secure Glasner, it could speed up Guehi’s departure from Selhurst Park, much to Liverpool’s advantage.

Liverpool are understood to be keen on signing Guehi next summer when he will be available as a free agent. The England international is reportedly still eager for a move to Anfield, despite a transfer deadline day deal to the Reds falling through at the last minute.

Whilst there’s been scant suggestion Guehi might reverse his stance and pen fresh terms at Selhurst Park, Glasner’s departure during this season or when his own deal expires next summer would most likely kill off any slim chance of him staying in south London.

Palace are presently enjoying a stunning campaign, climbing to second spot in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Amorim is struggling in 14th place following the defeat to Brentford.

Having ended last season in 15th last term, the United chief currently holds a victory rate of merely 27.3 per cent, which is similar to former West Ham United boss Graham Potter, who got the axe and was succeeded by Nuno Espirito-Santo at the weekend.

When Glasner was quizzed about recent speculation connecting him to United by Austrian publication Kicker, he chose not to clarify his stance. He said: “I follow all the rumours. That’s all there is. Neutrally and completely relaxed, (I) focus on the daily work with my players and coaches and try to enjoy it as much as possible.”

Slot endured a massive setback in his centre-back ranks ahead of the defeat to Palace. Following an outstanding debut for the club, summer recruit Giovanni Leoni ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during the 2-1 triumph over Southampton in the League Cup.

The Italian will be sidelined through injury for a year, as Slot confirmed during his pre-match press conference ahead of the defeat to Palace. Whilst some might have expected the injury to trigger a January pursuit of Guehi, the Dutchman insisted it won’t alter Liverpool’s winter transfer window strategy, unless further injuries occur.

He said: “That all depends on whether we get more injuries, yes or no, and if there’s a chance in the market – all the answers I always give. I would not prefer to go to 24/25 players. Also, if it is ever a situation where I lead a team that has four or five injuries throughout the whole season, it might be a bit smarter to go to 24/25, but recent history showed that [we have a good record] until now.

“We don’t have five or six injuries at the same time throughout the whole season. If that would be the situation, then we would end up with 15/16 players and that would normally be difficult.”

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