Next Man Utd manager odds after Michael Carrick suffers blow against Newcastle | Football

Michael Carrick remains the bookmakers’ favourite to get the permanent Manchester United job after a first setback against Newcastle United.

The former midfielder took the reins following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim in January, getting off to a sublime start with victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.

United won six of their first seven games under Carrick’s guidance, collecting 19 points from a possible 21 to climb into third place in the Premier League with the only blemish a 1-1 draw away to West Ham United.

Despite the winning run, United’s performance levels dipped somewhat against the Hammers and in the subsequent win away to Everton, also forced to come from behind to beat Crystal Palace at the weekend.

On Wednesday night against Newcastle, they struggled throughout the contest at St James’ Park. Despite the hosts being reduced to 10 men just before half-time, United failed to capitalise and fell to a 2-1 defeat thanks to a last gasp winner from William Osula.

United remain third despite their first defeat in 12 games but missed the chance to put real daylight between themselves and the other sides in the chase for Champions League qualification, with just three points separating them, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool.

There have been growing calls for Carrick to be given the United job beyond this summer with his former teammate Wes Brown this week telling Metro he is still the clear ‘front runner’.

But not everyone is so confident with Paul Scholes, who played alongside Carrick in midfield up until his retirement, aiming a brutal dig in the wake of the Newcastle defeat.

According to latest odds from Ladbrokes, Carrick remains odds-on to be the United boss on the opening day of the 2026-27 season.

Oliver Glasner, out of contract at Crystal Palace at the end of the current campaign, is priced at 6/1 with Julian Nagelsmann coming in next at 8/1.

Thomas Tuchel (10/1) signed a new contract with England in February, keeping him in the job through to 2028.

‘The situation Michael has put himself into now, he has to be considered one of the front runners,’ Brown told Metro via BetMGM.

‘When you get a new manager in, I understand you work a bit harder after someone has been sacked because you don’t want to feel like you’re responsible. The energy levels against Arsenal and Man City, I understand it, but to keep it going without changing the team much, is absolutely fantastic.

‘It’s a hard decision. Michael is among the top names. But the problem is if he does well and gets us in the Champions League and we bring in a new manager next season, that could interrupt things again. It would be another change, more new personnel, a new voice, and you are starting from the beginning again.

‘Bringing Michael in just until the of the season was the shout at the beginning, but because he’s done such a good job you have to look at him.’

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