31 January 2024 , 09:19
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Manchester United have been warned that a move for Michel Olise would land them another Wilfried Zaha.
Olise has starred for Crystal Palace since arriving from Reading three years ago. The attacker has impressed this season, scoring six goals and notching three assists in 10 games, during what has been a frustrating campaign for the Eagles.
They are currently in the bottom half of the table, having won just six games, with Roy Hodgson's job under pressure. And the London side are bracing for the departure of Olise, with Mirror Football previously reporting the Red Devils are ready to activate his release clause.
That release clause stands at £60million, with United keen to make him one of the first signings of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era. The billionaire is desperate to spark life into the Red Devils, with Olise having already been marked out as a top target.
But former United star Alan Smith believes a move for the 22-year-old would be repeating the mistakes they have committed before. He warned his old side that they should not rush into any deals this month and instead prepare a strategy for the summer.
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"I feel like I wouldn’t be rushing into anything at this moment in time. That’s where United have been over the last few years with their recruitment policy. This again might be ‘are we jumping in because we need something?’" Smith told BritishGambler.co.uk.
"For Man United not to get Champions League this year, everyone will see as a big problem, but if you’re gonna rebuild, make sure that the structure is correct and you’re buying the correct personnel.
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Former United star Alan Smith believes Olise would turn out the same as Wilfried Zaha, who flopped at the Red Devils (PA Archive/Press Association Images)"We aren’t just buying someone for this transfer window, we are buying them for five years. It might sound like we are giving up this season, but we can’t just keep throwing money at it and see if it works, and that has never been the Man United way."
Smith believes that Olise could turn out the same way as Zaha, who endured a wretched two year spell with United. Zaha made his own big-money move to Old Trafford from Palace, but made just four apperances before returning to the Eagles.
"I think regardless of who they are, it needs to the right fit – do the characteristics fit. Are we going down the same route as the signing of Wilfried Zaha? There’s a huge difference between playing for Crystal Palace and Man United," Smith added.
"Sometimes if you’ve not done the research on the player’s personality, you’re taking a chance on anybody coming to Man United. Have they played at a huge club? Have they played at a club that demands the same expectations as Man United?
"That’s where the short-term of going do we just sign someone because we need somebody, instead of signing someone for the future of the club. Playing at a big club has to be the remit. Playing at a club with the same standards.
"I signed from Leeds United which was very similar. I was brought up by Eddie Gray, he was the only reason that I signed for Man United was because of his relationship with Sir Alex. He knew the standards Eddie would set, and it would meet the expectation of what United would set."