Man Utd face uncomfortable truth with Ruben Amorim replacement verdict

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Former Chelsea and England playmaker Joe Cole has backed Oliver Glasner as the perfect choice to take over the top job at Manchester United - while defending Ruben Amorim's swift departure from Old Trafford. United sacked Amorim on Monday after just 14 months at the helm, with the 40-year-old boss leaving with the club in sixth place in the Premier League table.

Darren Fletcher has stepped in as interim manager for United and he will be in the dugout for Wednesday night's Premier League clash against Burnley at Turf Moor.

Speculation is, meanwhile, already mounting that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could make a sensational return to United on an interim basis until the summer, while the club search for a permanent replacement.

Glasner's name has been mentioned in reports as a potential candidate for the United hot-seat in recent days, though the Crystal Palace boss was quick to dismiss such talk when quizzed at a press conference.

Cole, meanwhile, has expressed his sympathy for Amorim following his recent Old Trafford exit.

"It was the right time," Cole said in an interview with Paddy Power. "When he came into the club - and everyone was expecting him to just breeze in and waltz it like he did at [Sporting] Lisbon - I was never fully on board with that.

"The ownership need to have a look at themselves, as well. You've had Dave Brailsford in there, but the club has been a mess for so many years now and I do feel sorry for Ruben [Amorim]."

Cole also elaborated on why he believes Glasner could be an ideal replacement for Amorim at United, citing the Austrian's current contract situation at Selhurst Park as a potential advantage for the Red Devils.

"Well, it's a similar situation with Chelsea , you aren't looking at the top boys anymore," Cole said.

"You aren't shopping there. So Crystal Palace fans won't like me for saying this, but letting your manager go down to six months left on his contract is worrying for them, because I think Oliver Glasner could be someone that could get Manchester United back on track if the people above him let him do his job.

"Is there a system in place behind the scenes? Are they going to work together?

"Can they work together? What's that relationship like long-term?

"You can have the best manager in the world and the best director of football in the world - and the best sports Scientists - but if they don't work together, then it can't work."

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