Manchester United Next Manager Odds

Following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, Michael Carrick was appointed as Manchester United’s head coach until the end of the season. The former team midfielder has enjoyed an impressive start, delivering two convincing wins and clear improvements in performance, which has made the Englishman the leading favourite to land the job on a permanent basis.

Next Manchester United Manager

Despite this, analysts and club legends remain sceptical about Carrick’s ability to lead United out of a crisis that has dragged on for years. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons behind Michael’s strong start, assess whether he can keep the job beyond the end of the season, and examine who else is in the running for the hot seat at troubled Manchester United.

Carrick: a Manchester United revival or a temporary fix?

Carrick has made a flying start in his second spell at the club, the first coming as interim boss prior to Amorim’s appointment, with two wins from two. Manchester United dealt confidently with Manchester City (2:0) and Arsenal (3:2), climbing to fourth place in the Premier League on 38 points.

Several changes introduced by the Englishman stand out immediately. First of all, the team abandoned the three-man defence and switched to a 4-2-3-1 system. This allowed key players such as Patrick Dorgu, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo to operate higher up the pitch, and they were decisive in both matches.

Secondly, Carrick has shown faith in Kobbie Mainoo, who had been largely ignored by Amorim for six months. Kobbie Mainoo is still harbouring hopes of making the national squad for the World Cup and has been showcasing his work rate, recording the best distance covered in both matches under the new coach.

All of this has turned Carrick into the bookmakers’ favourite to be handed a full-time contract at the end of the season.

However, the wins over top sides should not overshadow the scale of the challenges that lie ahead. Given Carrick’s limited managerial experience and the huge expectations surrounding the role, a setback cannot be ruled out.

Early success after a managerial change is often fuelled by short-term euphoria and a desire from players to impress the new boss. Moreover, a number of players were clearly struggling under Amorim’s systems, and Carrick has simply returned them to their natural positions.

It is also worth noting that United occasionally produced strong performances against elite opposition under Amorim and even under Erik ten Hag. The real test will come against teams that sit deep and thrive on slow, physical football.

A lack of experience remains the key concern. United legends and pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville are both opposed to offering Carrick a long-term deal. Even if Michael were to win all remaining matches, Keane would still prefer to see an experienced manager in charge.

Carrick’s immediate task is clear: to return the club to European competition. Given the inconsistent form of Liverpool and Chelsea, United have a realistic chance of pushing for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Whether that will be enough to secure him the job remains an open question.

Manchester United’s main dilemma in recent years is the clear need for an experienced manager with a defined footballing vision, someone capable of uniting the dressing room and exerting influence at board level. The problem is that coaches of that calibre are unlikely to take on the current United project, even for vast sums of money.

Michael Carrick as head coach

* Including three matches as interim manager.

Oliver Glasner: the Amorim dilemma

After announcing his departure from Crystal Palace at the end of the season, Oliver Glasner has attracted interest from several top Premier League clubs. For a long time he was one of the favourites for the Liverpool job, and he is now among the leading candidates to take over at Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester United are monitoring the situation closely. On one hand, the club would be prepared to back the Austrian with resources to build a squad. On the other, he would be expected to deliver results immediately.

In some ways, Glasner faces the same choice that once confronted Amorim when he had to decide between London and Manchester. There are doubts as to whether the Austrian could avoid the same unfortunate fate as the Portuguese coach.

Oliver Glasner as head coach

Gareth Southgate: how to turn the fans against you

After a series of disappointments in charge of the national team, Gareth Southgate remains one of the least popular coaches among English fans. A dull style of play, defensive caution and sterile possession when leading 1:0 make even José Mourinho’s football look entertaining by comparison.

Unsurprisingly, rumours linking Southgate with the United job have been met with hostility from supporters. There is even talk that Sir Alex Ferguson is not a fan of the former England manager.

Southgate rarely speaks to the media and appears in no rush to return to management. Given the overwhelmingly negative reaction across the country, it is hard to imagine him receiving a warm welcome at Old Trafford.

Gareth Southgate as head coach

Fever Dreams: Tuchel, Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso

Thomas Tuchel’s name has been linked with United for several years, yet the German has consistently avoided a move to Old Trafford.

At present, the former Chelsea boss is in charge of the England national team and is fully focused on preparing for the upcoming World Cup, where the Three Lions are among the favourites. 

Despite his contract running until the end of the tournament, Tuchel has expressed a desire to continue with the national side. His departure would only be conceivable in the event of a disastrous World Cup campaign, but with eight official matches played without conceding a single goal, the FA are unlikely to let him go.

Thomas Tuchel as head coach

Another dream candidate among fans is Carlo Ancelotti. The legendary Italian is seen as one of the few managers capable of restoring order in the dressing room and uniting the squad.

However, Ancelotti, like Tuchel, is under contract with the Brazil national team. Reports suggest the federation is preparing to offer him an extension through to 2030, but in any case his work will be judged after the 2026 World Cup, where the Seleção are again among the favourites. 

There are also serious doubts about Ancelotti’s desire to return to England. Having won everything at club level, the Italian may prefer a less turbulent challenge at this stage of his career.

Carlo Ancelotti as head coach

Following his dismissal from Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso’s name has surfaced in almost every set of managerial rumours. With his structured approach, he could realistically guide Manchester United back into the Champions League, especially if the board were to grant him full backing in the transfer market.

That said, taking over a struggling United side after a setback in Madrid would be a risky move for a young coach. Alonso is also the leading candidate for the Liverpool job.

The cost of a prolonged rebuild must also be taken into account. Alonso would almost certainly need to overhaul a squad assembled partly for Erik ten Hag and partly for Amorim. It is hard to see United’s hierarchy committing to such a move.

Xabi Alonso as head coach

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