Man Utd next manager odds with three clear favourites as pressure mounts on Michael Carrick

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Some Manchester United fans voiced their dissatisfaction after another defeat under Michael Carrick saw the team eliminated from the Carabao Cup

It was another difficult night for Manchester United on Wednesday and the pressure is mounting on manager Michael Carrick. Sections of the Old Trafford crowd booed off the 13-time Premier League champions after they threw away a two-goal lead to lose to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup.

It is the third time in a row that they have lost their opening fixture in a cup competition., under a third different manager. Ruben Amorim was in charge for the Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby early last season while Darren Fletcher was in temporary charge when Brighton knocked them out of the FA Cup in January.

Carrick took over as interim manager just days after their January defeat and earned the job on a permanent basis in May after securing Champions League qualification. However, an underwhelming Premier League start and early cup exit have left some speculating over whether another change might arrive sooner than planned.

If Carrick does go, though, who might United choose to replace him? We've taken a look at some of the leading candidates based on the bookies' odds.

Former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is the favourite to be named Manchester United's next permanent manager, with SkyBet putting his odds at 15/8. The Englishman left St James' Park over the summer after nearly five years in charge, having ended a 70-year wait for a major trophy.

Howe is also just 6/1 with SkyBet to take the England manager's job before making any return to club football. Another of the favourites for the United job already has international experience, with Julian Nagelsmann priced at 5/1.

Nagelsmann left his job as Germany manager after their early elimination from the World Cup, with Jurgen Klopp taking his place. He is a Bundesliga winner with Bayern Munich but left the Bavarian club midway through his second season at the helm in 2023.

It was Thomas Tuchel (3/1) who replaced Nagelsmann on that occasion, and the England boss is the third favourite. He was linked with United before Carrick's permanent appointment, only to sign a contract extension designed to leave him in charge of the Three Lions for Euro 2028.

All the other contenders have significantly longer odds, with two more former international bosses next up. Former Italy manager Antonio Conte (10/1) was linked with the United job in 2021, ultimately ending up at Tottenham, while United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is believed to be a long-time admirer of ex-England gaffer Gareth Southgate (14/1).

Also at 14/1 is Kieran McKenna, who previously spent time on United's coaching staff and is unattached after walking away from Ipswich Town after leading them into the Premier League for a second time. Fellow United academy coach Darren Fletcher (20/1) appeared content to stay in charge of the Under-18s after his caretaker spell in January, and this is perhaps reflected in the long odds.

We round out our list with three men currently in senior managerial jobs. Carlo Ancelotti (20/1) is another who was linked earlier in the year before extending his contract as Brazil manager, though the Selecao then underwhelmed at the World Cup.

Fabian Hurzeler, the man who inspired Brighton's comeback win on Wednesday, is priced at 25/1. You can get the same price on Mauricio Pochettino, the United States boss, who has spoken of a desire to one day return to the Premier League after stints at Tottenham and Chelsea.

"My dream now is to be in the USA for four years, but after that, why not?" he told Sky Sports earlier in September. "We are still young, and I think coming back is always my goal; to win the Premier League, to be in the Premier League and to build a project with the possibility of winning."

Manchester United next manager odds (via SkyBet)

- Eddie Howe (15/8) - Thomas Tuchel (3/1) - Julian Nagelsmann (5/1) - Antonio Conte (10/1) - Kieran McKenna (14/1) - Gareth Southgate (14/1) - Darren Fletcher (20/1) - Carlo Ancelotti (20/1) - Fabian Hurzeler (25/1) - Mauricio Pochettino (25/1)

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