Man Utd warned over pursuit of Michael Olise as ex-Red Devils striker claims Crystal Palace winger could flop like Wilfried Zaha because he hasn't played for a 'big club'

Former Red Devils and Leeds United man Alan Smith feels it would be a mistake for Erik ten Hag to recruit Eagles star Olise, who has also been linked with Chelsea and Liverpool, as they "can't just keep throwing money" away. The ex-England international believes United need to be signing players who have played at a huge club before signing them and this could end up the same way as Zaha when he swapped Palace for Old Trafford in 2013 - a move that didn't work out as planned.

He told BritishGambler.co.uk: "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?’

"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. 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."

He added: "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 and 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."

Olise is a rising star of the Premier League and has scored five goals in nine games this season. The 22-year-old reportedly has a summer release clause of £60 million ($76m) and has a bright future in the game. But as former United player Dimitar Berbatov also said, it remains to be seen if he can make the jump to a giant such as the Red Devils.

Potential suitors for Olise have until 11pm on February 1 to try and secure a deal for the France under-21 international before the January transfer window shuts. If not, a bidding war could take place for the Palace star, who has missed much of the season due to a hamstring injury, in the summer.