Old Trafford is basically a revolving door right now. If you’d told a Manchester United fan back in December that Ruben Amorim would be gone by the first week of January, they’d have laughed you out of the pub. Yet here we are. It’s mid-January 2026, and the odds to be next Man Utd manager are shifting faster than a Marcus Rashford counter-attack.
Michael Carrick is back in the hot seat—this time as an interim until the end of the 2025/26 season. It’s a bit of deja vu, isn’t it? He’s steady, he knows the "DNA," and Sir Alex Ferguson apparently gave him the big thumbs up. But let’s be real: unless Carrick pulls off a miracle and drags this squad into the Champions League spots, the INEOS hierarchy is looking for a long-term fix this summer. The "interim" tag is a safety net, not a guarantee.
The Glasner Bombshell and Why the Market is Spiking
Honestly, the biggest shock this week didn't even happen in Manchester. It happened in South London. Oliver Glasner, the man who turned Crystal Palace into an FA Cup winner and Europa Conference League contender, just announced he’s leaving Selhurst Park at the end of the season.
The timing? Suspiciously perfect.
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Bookies like William Hill and Betfred immediately slashed his odds. He went from a 6/1 outsider to the 7/4 or 3/1 favorite (depending on where you look) in about twenty minutes. People are putting two and two together. Glasner has that "modern" tactical profile INEOS craves: high pressing, tactical flexibility, and a lack of ego when it comes to working with a Director of Football like Jason Wilcox.
But here is the thing people get wrong: just because he's available doesn't mean he's a lock. United have a history of looking at the "flavor of the month" and then pivoting to a big-name "ego" at the last second.
Breaking Down the Leading Candidates
If you're looking at the current betting landscape, it’s basically a three-horse race with a few high-profile "wildcards" lurking in the shadows.
1. Oliver Glasner (The Tactical Favorite)
He’s the man of the hour. After leading Palace to their most successful period in history, he's proven he can handle the Premier League. The Austrian isn't just a "vibes" manager; he’s a system guy. If United want to finally move away from "moments" and toward a cohesive style, Glasner is the logical choice.
2. Michael Carrick (The Internal Solution)
Carrick is currently sitting around 5/1 or 6/1 to get the job permanently. He’s got the advantage of the "audition." He has 17 games to prove he’s more than just a safe pair of hands. If he beats City this weekend and puts a run together, those odds will tumble. However, pundits like Gary Neville are already warning that the club shouldn't settle for "fine" when they need "elite."
3. Thomas Tuchel (The World Cup Factor)
Tuchel is the elephant in the room. He’s currently the England boss, and his contract is up after the 2026 World Cup this summer. Imagine the chaos: England win the World Cup in July, and Tuchel walks into Old Trafford in August. It’s the kind of Hollywood script the Glazers used to love. At 8/1 or 10/1, he’s the "big game" bet.
4. Gareth Southgate (The INEOS Connection)
Southgate has been linked to United for what feels like a decade. He’s close with the hierarchy, he knows how to manage big personalities, and he’s currently out of work. The odds usually hover around 6/1. Fans hate the idea because of the perceived "boring" football, but in the boardroom? He’s highly respected.
Why Ruben Amorim Failed So Quickly
It’s worth looking back to understand the future. Amorim was supposed to be the "Chosen One." He lasted just over a year.
What went wrong? Basically, he picked a fight he couldn't win. That fiery press conference after the 1-1 draw at Elland Road—where he basically told the board they were too sensitive to TV pundits like Gary Neville—was the beginning of the end. Relationships broke down, results dipped, and the 3rd round FA Cup exit to Brighton was the final nail.
The lesson for the next guy? You have to manage the "noise" as much as the players. Manchester United isn't just a football club; it’s a 24/7 content machine that eats managers for breakfast if they don't have thick skin.
What the Betting Markets Aren't Telling You
When you look at the odds to be next Man Utd manager, you’re seeing where the money is going, not necessarily what the board is thinking.
- The "Shadow" Candidates: Luis Enrique at PSG is an interesting one. He’s under massive pressure after PSG got knocked out of the French Cup by Paris FC (yes, the Ligue 2 side). If he’s sacked, he’s a 20/1 shot that could suddenly become very relevant.
- The Romantic Return: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was actually in the running for the interim job before Carrick got it. He’s still 16/1 for a permanent return, but that feels like a step backward that INEOS wouldn't take.
- The Long Shots: Xabi Alonso? 12/1. Jurgen Klopp? 100/1 (Wayne Rooney says he’d love it, but let’s be real, Klopp is never going to United).
How to Read the Next Few Months
The Manchester Derby this weekend is everything. If Carrick gets a result against Pep Guardiola, the "give it to him till the end of the season" energy turns into "maybe he's the one."
But keep an eye on the Crystal Palace results too. If Glasner’s team stops playing for him now that he’s announced his departure, his stock might drop. Conversely, if he wins the Europa Conference League, his price goes up, and United might have to move fast to fend off other European giants.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Punters
- Watch the "Availability" News: Managers like Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel are tied to national teams until the summer. Their odds won't move much until the World Cup starts.
- The "Vibe" Check: Follow the Tier 1 journalists like David Ornstein. When they start mentioning a name repeatedly, the odds are about to collapse.
- Carrick’s First 5 Games: If Carrick wins 4 out of his first 5, he becomes a serious candidate. If he loses to City and struggles against the mid-table sides, he’s just a seat-warmer.
The hunt for stability continues. For a club that hasn't won a league title since 2013, the next appointment isn't just about winning trophies; it's about survival as a top-tier European force. Whether it's the tactical precision of Glasner or the "United way" of Carrick, the board cannot afford another Amorim-style fallout.
Keep an eye on the news out of Germany and London. That’s where the real decisions are being made.