Glasner Hung Out to Dry as Palace’s Thin Squad Buckles and Man United Keep Watch

Oliver Glasner has every right to feel aggrieved. Palace led at Goodison Park and still contrived to lose 2-1, a defeat that screamed of tired legs and a bench that simply doesn’t scare anyone. For a manager who delivered silverware last season, he looks like a man being asked to sprint without his boots.

Summer window left Palace short

The warning signs were there. Eberechi Eze moved to Arsenal, the Marc Guehi saga dragged on and nearly ended at Liverpool before collapsing on deadline day, and the reinforcements arrived late and light. That’s a risky way to approach a campaign that includes European football, especially after the highs of an FA Cup triumph and a Community Shield lifted in August. Momentum demands investment; Palace’s felt half-measured.

Depth exposed at Goodison

Glasner made just two changes from the midweek Europa League tie against Dynamo Kyiv. That’s not rotation; that’s necessity. Palace were bright early, nicked the opener, then faded badly. Everton smelled it, turned the screw, and took the points. If Glasner trusted his depth, he’d have shuffled the pack more in Europe. He clearly doesn’t.

Manager left to carry the can

It’s easy to look at the touchline and demand more, but when your options off the bench are thin, game management becomes a guessing game. Palace needed more bodies in key areas over the summer—legs for the press, presence at the back, craft between the lines. Instead, Glasner is stretching the same core and hoping they hold up under Thursday–Sunday strain. That’s not a long-term plan; it’s a sticking plaster.

United temptation is real

The Austrian hasn’t committed beyond next summer, and you can see why. He’s voiced his concerns about recruitment, and the noise around Old Trafford isn’t going away. As reported by GIVEMESPORT’s Ben Jacobs, Glasner would entertain the Manchester United job “in a heartbeat.” If the situation shifts there—say Ruben Amorim’s position weakens—don’t be stunned if Palace’s dugout starts looking a little emptier.

What Palace must do now

Settle the Guehi situation, act early for January, and give Glasner the legs to rotate. This squad can still be awkward and effective, but only if the manager isn’t flogging the same XI every three days. Otherwise, expect more second-half fade-outs and more anxiety around SE25.

For those keeping an eye on the managerial merry-go-round, some will be scanning the best betting sites to read the odds. Don’t be surprised if Glasner’s price shortens should United make their move—and Palace can only have themselves to blame if it comes to that.

Bottom line

Palace asked for a European adventure and handed their manager a travelcard with no balance. If they want to keep Glasner, they need to back him properly—and quickly.