Michael Carrick is under early pressure at Old Trafford - who could replace him?
Eddie Howe remains the clear favourite to be the next permanent boss as Michael Carrick’s seat gets hotter.
A late Matheus Cunha equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday, but five points from five Premier League games means pressure is mounting on Carrick through the international break.
Carrick was made permanent in May after steering United into the Champions League as interim. The 2026/27 start has been messier: loss at Hull, win over Ipswich, draw at Everton, derby defeat to Manchester City, Carabao Cup collapse from 2-0 up against Brighton, then that scrape at Craven Cottage.
Interestingly, Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler has been backed in from as long as 25/1 into a shortest price of 5/1 after this weekend's game.
Manchester United Next Manager Odds
Who is favourite to be The Next Man United Manager?
| Selection | Best Odds | Worst Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Eddie Howe | 15/8 | 6/4 |
| Julian Nagelsmann | 4/1 | 10/3 |
| Antonio Conte | 10/1 | 6/1 |
| Thomas Tuchel | 11/1 | 7/2 |
| Gareth Southgate | 16/1 | 14/1 |
| Kieran McKenna | 16/1 | 17/2 |
| Darren Fletcher | 20/1 | 20/1 |
| Carlo Ancelotti | 20/1 | 12/1 |
| Fabian Hurzeler | 25/1 | 5/1 |
| Mauricio Pochettino | 25/1 | 25/1 |
| Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | 25/1 | 25/1 |
Howe is hot favourite at a best price of 15/8 (worst 6/4). That short tag is mostly about availability. He stepped down at Newcastle at the end of July to recharge after nearly five years, so the books do not need a huge compensation fight to make him the United default.
Julian Nagelsmann is second favourite at 4/1 best and 10/3 worst. Antonio Conte sits at 10/1 best, though some books are as short as 6/1. Thomas Tuchel shows the widest headline swing in the top four: 11/1 best against a 7/2 worst, which usually means the firms cannot agree how realistic an England exit is mid cycle.
Southgate and McKenna are in the mid teens at best price, with McKenna as short as 17/2 at some shops. Fletcher and Ancelotti are 20/1 best.
Watch Fabian Hurzeler’s price difference: 25/1 down to 5/1 depending on the book.
Why This Market Is Moving Now
Sunday at Fulham was supposed to settle nerves before the international break. Instead United fell behind to a Lisandro Martínez own goal and needed an 89th minute deflected strike from Cunha to avoid a third straight defeat. Carrick talked afterwards about wanting more points and better standards. Five points from five still leaves United in the bottom half heading into the break.
That is why the next manager board stays open. Howe’s free agent status keeps him glued to the top. Nagelsmann offers the continental project option. Tuchel’s price only makes sense if you believe the England job can break early. Internal names like Fletcher sit further out as continuity plays.
Carrick himself remains in the separate next Premier League manager to leave market, currently around 11/4 best and 5/2 worst on Oddschecker. He is not priced as a dead man walking, but he is short enough that every United wobble effects the price.
Man United's Next Game
United’s next Premier League date is Tottenham at home around 10 October after the international break. A win there would take heat out of Howe’s price. Another flat performance keeps the Manchester United next manager odds moving.
