Old Trafford is currently in that weird, familiar state of limbo. Again. We’ve seen this movie before, haven't we? A big-name manager leaves under a cloud, a club legend steps in to "steady the ship," and the betting markets go absolutely haywire. This time, it’s Michael Carrick back in the hot seat following Ruben Amorim’s departure in early January 2026.
But here’s the thing about man utd next manager odds: they aren't just about who is sitting in the dugout today. They are a frantic, real-time reflection of a club trying to find its soul while INEOS pulls the strings in the boardroom.
The Carrick Factor: Interim or Something More?
Right now, Michael Carrick is the heavy favorite to be the man in charge at the start of next season, with some bookmakers like William Hill pricing him as short as 6/5. Honestly, it makes sense. He’s already been through this. He’s safe. He knows the Carrington corridors like the back of his hand.
But history tells us that "interim" at Manchester United is a dangerous label. Remember Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? He was only supposed to stay for a few months. Then he beat PSG in the rain, and suddenly he had a three-year contract.
If Carrick manages to drag this squad into a Champions League spot—they’re currently sitting 7th, just three points off 4th—Sir Jim Ratcliffe might decide that the solution was right under his nose all along. However, pundits like Gary Neville are already shouting from the rooftops that the club needs "the best of the best," not just another familiar face.
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The Oliver Glasner Shockwave
Just when we thought we had a handle on the list, Oliver Glasner decided to set the cat among the pigeons. On Friday, January 16, 2026, Glasner confirmed he’s leaving Crystal Palace at the end of this season.
This changed everything.
His odds to be the next permanent Manchester United manager have been slashed to 3/1. Why? Because he’s a winner. He’s got an FA Cup with Palace (2025) and a Europa League on his CV. He’s the "free agent" that every elite club dreams of. If you’re looking at the man utd next manager odds today, Glasner is the name moving the needle. He’s shown he can handle the Premier League, and more importantly, he’s shown he can win trophies with teams that aren't Manchester City.
Who Else is in the Running?
If it’s not Carrick or Glasner, the field starts to look a bit like a "who’s who" of elite European coaching. The odds are fluctuating wildly based on every press conference and tactical masterclass across the continent.
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- Gareth Southgate (6/1 to 7/1): He’s been out of the game since Euro 2024. He has a great relationship with some of the INEOS hierarchy. But would the fans accept his "safety first" style? It's a tough sell.
- Thomas Tuchel (9/1 to 10/1): A tactical genius. A Champions League winner. Also, someone who tends to clash with directors. Does United want more drama? Probably not.
- Luis Enrique (20/1): The PSG boss is a "dream" candidate for many. Former United midfielder Kleberson recently urged the club to go "all out" for the Spaniard. But pry him away from Paris? That’s a tall order.
- The "Returning Hero" Contingent: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still hangs around the man utd next manager odds at roughly 11/4 or 5/1 depending on the bookie. It feels like a nostalgia pick, but in football, you never say never.
The Reality of the INEOS Era
Basically, what most people get wrong about these odds is thinking it’s just about football. It’s not. It’s about the structure. Jason Wilcox, the Director of Football, is leading a process that is supposed to be "data-led."
They don't want a "manager" in the old Sir Alex Ferguson sense; they want a "Head Coach." This is why names like Xabi Alonso and Julian Nagelsmann (both around 16/1 to 20/1) keep surfacing. They fit the modern profile. But those guys are currently driving Ferraris at their current clubs; why would they want to jump into the Manchester United repair shop mid-season?
Breaking Down the Numbers
If you’re looking at the betting markets right now, here is how the "implied probability" looks for the permanent role:
- Michael Carrick: Roughly 45%. This assumes he does "just okay" and gets the job by default or through a late-season surge.
- Oliver Glasner: About 25%. The momentum is purely with him after his Selhurst Park exit announcement.
- Gareth Southgate: 12%. He’s the "sensible" backup if the big names say no.
- The Field: 18%. This includes everyone from Thomas Tuchel to a surprise appointment like Andoni Iraola.
The club has already confirmed they won't be making any permanent moves until the summer. They are "keeping their powder dry." They want to see if Carrick can actually coach, or if he’s just another caretaker who gets a "new manager bounce" before the reality of a lopsided squad sets in.
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What Happens Next?
The Manchester Derby on Saturday is the first real litmus test. If Carrick gets a result against City, his man utd next manager odds will likely plummet even further. If they get thumped, expect the Glasner and Tuchel rumors to reach a fever pitch by Monday morning.
United are currently facing their lowest number of games in a season since 1914—only 40 matches—because they are out of the FA Cup and League Cup. This lack of distraction is a double-edged sword. It gives Carrick time on the training pitch, but it also means every single Premier League mistake is magnified.
Next Steps for Following the Manager Race:
- Monitor Glasner’s "Available" Status: Watch for any leaked meetings between Glasner’s camp and INEOS over the next month; if he doesn't sign elsewhere quickly, his odds will shorten.
- Track the Top 4 Gap: If the gap to the Champions League spots grows beyond 6 points by March, Carrick’s chances of the permanent job likely evaporate, regardless of his "legend" status.
- Watch the "Head Coach" vs "Manager" Language: Pay attention to how the club describes the search; if they emphasize a "long-term tactical project," it favors outsiders like Glasner or Enrique over Carrick.