Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre is concerned that the Premier League giants would struggle to convince Michael Olise to leave Crystal Palace for Old Trafford.
As Chelsea found out the hard way during the summer of 2023, Crystal Palace’s number seven is not going to simply jump at any opportunity to swap South London for a new challenge at one of England’s big boys.
Olise signed a new four-year deal with Palace just days after Chelsea triggered the then-£35 million release clause in his Eagles contract in August.
And Silvestre wonders if the former Reading starlet would make a similar decision if or when Manchester United come calling, The Standard reporting that Olise is fast emerging as of the club’s leading targets in the INEOS era.
Manchester United like Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise
“100 per cent,” Silvestre tells GG Recon when asked if Olise can make the step up to one of the division’s giants.
“I first saw him when he was playing for Reading, so I’ve witnessed him developing in England and with the France under 21 team. He’s an exciting player who has the potential to easily attract offers from the top six clubs in the Premier League clubs.
It is not a question of ability, the five-time Premier League winner argues, but of suitability.
“But the question is, why would he choose Manchester United right now?,” Silvestre adds. “I’m not convinced that the club is capable of attracting a player like Michael at the moment.”
A left footed right winger who cuts in to often devastating effect – only Kevin de Bruyne and Mo Salah produced more league assists in 2022/23 – United’s interest in Olise raises some rather inevitable questions about the future of the much-maligned Antony.
Silvestre hopes to see the under-fire Brazilian silence his doubters, however, with Antony’s respectable debut season with the Red Devils proof of his talents.
Antony’s replacement?
“When Antony first joined Manchester United, his performances were good. He was scoring goals. And then he faded. I think his problems outside of football have knocked him down and it’s a difficult time for him right now. At this moment in time, his character is being tested,” the 46-year-old muses.
“Can he turn things around? I don’t know. I don’t know him well enough to judge his personality and whether he’s capable of turning things around. He’s a talented boy, but his effectiveness and ability to turn a game around are not always there.
“But Olise looks like he’s ready for this level right now.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly looking to centre United’s rebuild upon a foundation of young, homegrown talent, with Olise joining Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Brighton’s Evan Ferguson and Middlesbrough’s Carabao Cup hero Hayden Hackney on the Red Devils radar.
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