Oliver Glasner is not surprised to see Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman being linked with Manchester United given his impressive recruitment at Selhurst Park.
Freedman has been credited with unearthing the likes of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Marc Guehi – arguably Palace’s three biggest assets.
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Reports suggest he is interesting Manchester United as they look to put together a scouting team to work under Dan Ashworth – when his release is negotiated from Newcastle United.
Glasner, who succeeded Roy Hodgson as manager at Palace last month, admitted his first impressions of Freedman have been favourable.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Luton, he said: “It shows me what I was thinking – here [at Palace] there is a great sporting director and a great person. This is how I see Dougie after two weeks and a lot of talks with him.
“He knows all the players all over the world. He is a fantastic guy. He is a great person and sporting director. If there are these rumours, it shows other clubs see it in the same way.”
Glasner could not confirm the veracity of the reports, though, adding: “I don’t know if it’s true or not. We didn’t speak about the squad for next year – I want to get to know the players who are here. There are injured players I have never seen in a training session.
“We will start [planning the squad] in the next week. The feeling that I have is we will plan the squad for next year together and we will work together for a long time.
“But three weeks ago I wasn’t here.”
“He knows all the players all over the world” 🔴🔵
Oliver Glasner says Dougie Freedman being linked with Manchester United shows that Crystal Palace “have a great sporting director”. pic.twitter.com/mRWnk276Vy
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 8, 2024
Palace will be able to call on Eze against Luton, despite the injury-plagued midfielder being substituted not long after scoring a wonderful free-kick in last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Tottenham.
Glasner added: “Eze did every session from the first until the last minute – he is fit.
“He looks very good and, of course, his goal gives him more confidence.
“He was able to play 65 minutes without any problems, so he will play more minutes in this game because everything was fine with him.”
