Michael Carrick Odds: What Will The Interim Manager Achieve At Old Trafford?
Manchester United have turned to a familiar face after confirming Michael Carrick as interim head coach until the end of the 2025/26 season, with the club looking for an immediate lift in results and performances.
Carrick steps in following Ruben Amorim’s departure on January 5, ending a spell that began when he was appointed in November 2024 and included a run to a UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao last May.
The league picture is still very much alive: United are seventh on 32 points, and just three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool - so Champions League qualification remains within reach.
The issue is that Amorim’s tenure never truly settled into consistency, with mixed results and growing pressure ultimately forcing the club’s hand.
Carrick’s timing is brutal too, as his first weeks include headline tests against Manchester City and Arsenal, with later showdowns still to come against Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool.
With United already out of the cups and now able to focus solely on the league, we look at some of the special markets available on betting sites, such as how many wins can he lead the team to, can he keep himself in the job into next season and does the squad need January reinforcements to make a top-four push?
Games Won In Remaining 17 Premier League Matches
The odds available on betting apps suggest a steady-but-not-spectacular run-in, and a look at the fixture list explains why - Carrick's tenure begins with a Manchester derby, followed by a trip to league leaders Arsenal.
This is followed by a run of games that United fans will hope to secure points before they face Tottenham (H), Chelsea (A) and Liverpool (H) later in the season.
To land Over 6.5 wins (Evens), United need at least seven victories from 17, which is basically 'top-four pace' from this point.
Wins In Last 17 League Games Odds
Wins | Odds | Probability |
Over 6.5 | Evens | 50% |
Under 6.5 | 8/11 | 57.9% |
With United currently sitting seventh on 32 points and within touching distance of fourth, Carrick will need to target winnable games and turn draws into wins.
Still, given the immediate difficulty and United's inconsistent performances this season, Under 6.5 wins (8/11) may be the safer option unless Carrick sparks an immediate improvement.
Carrick To Be Manager For First Game Of 2026/27
At odds of 8/11, the market is leaning toward Carrick still being in the dugout when next season begins - either because he impresses enough to extend his run, or because the club’s summer search takes longer than planned.
United’s logic in appointing him was clearly about minimising disruption, leaning on his familiarity and a quick-start plan rather than a long bedding-in period.
The risk is that a rough opening stretch (starting with the derby) could force a rethink, as those fixtures can quickly swing the mood at Old Trafford.
If Carrick can keep United in the top-four hunt into May, 8/11 looks very fair, as clubs often stick with a steady hand when results stabilise.
Top-Four Finish
If Carrick can make an immediate impact and get the best out of the players at his disposal, a top-four finish and subsequent Champions League qualification are possible.
The former United midfielder will need to avoid defeats against direct rivals and secure maximum points from the so-called lesser teams, something the team struggled to do under Amorim.
The schedule is challenging, so a top-four charge likely needs a statement result or two in the big games.
If Carrick is able to achieve this, 5/1 could end up looking big given how close the race for the top four already is.
Bottom-Half Finish
At odds of 3/1, a bottom-half finish could be on the cards, and it is very possible when you consider how packed the mid-table is and how unforgiving the league becomes if you drop points repeatedly.
United are currently seventh, but they have been one of the league's inconsistent performers, and it only takes a poor month to get dragged into mid-table mediocrity.
This is exactly why the United board decided to sack Amorim, hoping that a change in manager could help to maximise a league finish.
Still, with tough games upcoming, a couple of defeats could quickly increase pressure, and that’s when a bottom-half finish becomes more likely.
United To Sign 2+ Players By February 3
It is as yet unknown whether the United board are willing to back Carrick in the current transfer window, but some reports suggest there will be no new faces incoming.
The official winter transfer window closes at 7pm on February 2, which effectively makes "by February 3" a bet on late-window business and deadline day drama.
With Carrick facing a tight turnaround into big games, there’s an argument that United prioritise short-term reliability - players who can contribute straight away - rather than longer-term projects.
At 5/2, new signings are plausible if United feel they are one or two pieces short of a top-four push, but far from guaranteed, given how often January transfers can be expensive and other teams may not wish to lose players halfway through the season.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
Let us know how you think Carrick will do during his spell in charge at Old Trafford in the comments below!
