Next Manchester United Manager Odds: Carrick Still Hot Favourite For Summer Deal
Michael Carrick’s first defeat as Manchester United manager has hardly made a dent in the odds on betting sites for him to get the job beyond the summer.
The former Red Devils midfielder had won six and drawn one of his seven games in charge, including impressive victories over leaders Arsenal and title challengers Manchester City, but his unbeaten run came to an end at Newcastle.
The Magpies had Jacob Ramsey sent off during an eventful end to the first half, but substitute William Osula scored a brilliant solo goal to secure a 90th-minute victory for Eddie Howe’s side.
Aston Villa’s heavy home defeat by Chelsea means Manchester United remain in third spot in the Premier League and on course to be playing in the Champions League next season, but will Carrick be there to oversee it?
The former Middlesbrough boss has been placed in charge for the rest of the campaign and there are many who think he should be given the job on a long-term basis.
However, there are already some big names on the market and there could be others after the World Cup.
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Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville have both stated that Carrick should not get the job, naming Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti as better options.
But, Tuchel is no longer in the frame, having signed a two-year extension to his England deal in February.
Former United striker Louis Saha agrees that United should go for a big name, but feels it is more important that whoever takes charge brings back the attacking style he was part of under Sir Alex Ferguson, and that there should be as little upheaval as possible.
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— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 5, 2026
Speaking exclusively to Gambling.com, he said: "There are a few other managers who have an amazing pedigree like Tuchel, Ancelotti or even Zinedine Zidane.
"But they might come with different staff and all that. I think it's been a mistake over the last 12 years."
Here, we take a look at the main candidates to be United manager for the first game of the 2026/27 campaign.
Carrick Remains In Driving Seat
Carrick has been around Old Trafford long enough not to get carried away by United's wins over City and Arsenal.
Despite the defeat at St James' Park, it's a fantastic start and buys the club a bit more time in their search for a long-term replacement - if they decide to snub Carrick.
The former England midfielder clearly wants to stay at Old Trafford, saying: "I love being here. I love doing what I'm doing.
"I've said it from the start, I'm not making any decisions for short-term or quick fixes. I think it's the responsibility, however long I'm here, to make decisions that are the best for the football club in the long term.
"Winning games helps and the boys are doing great with that. We'll just have to see where it ends up."
Carrick is still odds-on at 4/6 on betting apps to get the job.
Glasner Second Favourite After Chaotic Spell
Oliver Glasner is leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the season and many pundits expect him to land a big job in the summer - either in the Premier League or at one of the European heavyweights.
Glasner led the Eagles to their first major trophy last season by winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City, although losing to non-league Macclesfield in January took some of the sheen off that success.
The Austrian, who won the 2021/22 Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt, has had to deal with the sale of Marc Guehi to Manchester City and an injury to star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose deadline-day move to AC Milan collapsed because of a failed medical.
Palace have been struggling in 2026 and remain in danger of being relegated, but there is no doubt Glasner deserves the chance to take charge of a big club and he is 8/1 with Bet365 to end up at Old Trafford.
Will Southgate Be Tempted?
Gareth Southgate has been on sabbatical since leaving his England role, so could he finally return to the dugout at Old Trafford?
Southgate stepped down as head coach of the Three Lions following the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, but in November revealed he was not looking to return to football management.
The former Middlesbrough boss was 11/1 a couple of months ago, but Carrick's success has seen those odds lengthen to 16/1.
Next Manchester United Manager Odds:
Manager | Odds | Betting Site |
Michael Carrick | 4/6 | |
Oliver Glasner | 8/1 | |
Gareth Southgate | 16/1 | |
Roberto De Zerbi | 18/1 | |
Julian Nagelsmann | 20/1 | |
Luis Enrique | 20/1 | |
Carlo Ancelotti | 22/1 | |
Andoni Iraola | 22/1 | |
Mauricio Pochettino | 25/1 | |
Marco Silva | 28/1 | |
Unai Emery | 28/1 | |
Sebastian Hoeness | 28/1 |
(Odds correct at the time of publishing: 12:45am - 05/03/2026)
De Zerbi On The Market
Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi knows the Premier League well and is available following his departure from Marseille in February.
The Italian was widely admired for his tactical nous when he was in charge of the Seagulls, and a 56% win percentage in 20 months with Marseille was equally impressive.
However, a 3-0 defeat at Club Brugge saw OM eliminated from the Champions League and he left the club by mutual consent a few days later following a 5-0 drubbing by PSG.
De Zerbi will be a wanted man in the summer and he is priced at 18/1 to end up at Manchester United.
Big Names On List Of Outsiders
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann and PSG boss Luis Enrique are both available at 20/1.
Nagelsmann could be on the market if Die Mannschaft flop at this summer's World Cup in North America.
Luis Enrique will leave the Ligue 1 champions when his contract expires at the end of next season, but could he be tempted to jump ship before then? If not, then the Spaniard is probably worth avoiding as a permanent successor to Ruben Amorim.
Ancelotti is one of the most successful coaches of all time, winning multiple trophies at Real Madrid, AC Milan, Chelsea, PSG and Bayern Munich, but he is expected to extend his contract with Brazil in the next few weeks which explains why he is 22/1 for the United job.
Andoni Iraola is doing a great job at Bournemouth, but his contract expires at the end of the season amid speculation the Spaniard will not sign an extension.
Iraola may be growing tired of losing his best players and is also 22/1 to join United in the summer.
The Cherries sold three of their back four in the summer, and Antoine Semenyo joined Manchester City during the January transfer window.
USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino remains 25/1, while Fulham boss Marco Silva, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness are all 28/1.
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