Oliver Glasner sent stern warning over the Man United job - and insists Crystal Palace boss is 'not the right fit' for struggling Red Devils

Paul Merson has urged Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner to be cautious over the Manchester United job, warning he is 'not the right fit' for the Old Trafford hot seat.

The Red Devils have suffered yet another disappointing start to the new season, languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table after three defeats from five matches and having already crashed out of the Carabao Cup to Grimsby Town.

Ruben Amorim, who has been the Manchester United manager for almost a year since taking over from Erik ten Hag last November, is under significant pressure after a sustained run of poor results and has been criticised heavily by pundits and fans for refusing to adapt his failing 3-4-3 system.

While the Portuguese boss retains the backing of Manchester United's board, speculation has grown over which candidates are in the running to replace him, with Glasner currently the bookies' favourite to land the role if Amorim is axed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos.

Glasner, 51, steered the Eagles to FA Cup glory last campaign before winning the Community Shield with a shock victory over Premier League champions Liverpool. 

Now with a remarkable 18-match unbeaten streak, Crystal Palace sit third in the Premier League after six games and are the only team in the division yet to lose, having defeated Liverpool 2-1 at Selhurst Park last weekend.

Despite his impressive credentials, former Premier League star Merson has questioned whether the job at Old Trafford would suit him. 

'Oliver Glasner has been incredible at Crystal Palace,' he wrote in his analysis column for Sky Sports. 'What a job he's done there - it's unbelievable really.'

'He's a brilliant manager. He doesn't get too up and doesn't get too down. It's very impressive. He's put a team together and they are all very comfortable in their positions. 

'Everyone knows their job in the team. He has the players for the system and that's huge.

'Let's say Ruben Amorim was manager at Palace now, he'd half have a chance of being a success. Palace have the players to play three at the back. They have the attributes in their squad to play in that system.

'For me, that's why I'd be concerned about Glasner going to Man Utd. He's a three-at-the-back man and it is being proven that it is a system that just doesn't fit the players at Man Utd. Glasner is not a good fit for Man Utd.

'Of course, I'm sure he'd be adaptable, and he's proven with how he handles the players, but the system he uses is just all wrong for United. Amorim can tell you that.'

Man United, who were comfortably beaten 3-1 by Brentford last Saturday, are gearing up for a crucial spell which could well determine Amorim's future at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils face high-flying Sunderland at home on Saturday before a trip to face bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield the following weekend. 

A clash with Brighton at Old Trafford follows before Manchester United head to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest on November 1, the anniversary of Amorim's appointment last year.