Next Man Utd manager: Howe becomes odds on favourite to replace Carrick

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Suraj Radia | Editor

Eddie Howe is the bookmakers’ favourite to become Manchester United’s next permanent manager if the Premier League giants sack Michael Carrick.

Pressure has piled on Carrick after a dismal run of just two wins in the last 11 matches, culminating in a disastrous 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League this week, which left captain Bruno Fernandes questioning the tactics during a post-match interview.

Although Carrick is expected to remain in charge for the game against Bournemouth on Sunday and be present for the pre-match press conference on Friday, it is believed that United have already begun exploring replacements for their under-fire boss.

However, it was also claimed that United’s board are clashing over which direction to go with Carrick’s potential replacement, with director of recruitment Christopher Vivell pushing for ex-Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann and director of football Jason Wilcox preferring a Premier League-proven manager.

Wilcox is superior in United’s hierarchy and likely to hold more weight to the club’s owners, according to talkSPORT, who report that the director is ‘leaning towards’ former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe due to his experience in the Premier League.

Much could depend on United’s game against Bournemouth but a firm list of coaches has been identified, setting an expectation that Carrick may soon be replaced after just five months in the job.

Next Man Utd manager odds: Eddie Howe emerging as favourite

Howe made the shock decision to resign from Newcastle in July after nearly five years in charge, having felt he was not the man to lead the club to their rebuild following a host of departures in the summer.

Under Howe’s guideship, Newcastle went from relegation battlers to qualifying for the Champions League twice, as well as winning the League Cup in 2025 – breaking a 70-year domestic trophy drought.

Howe’s name had come up as a potential option prior to the hiring of Ruben Amorim, however Wilcox had rallied against the appointment when put to him by former director Dan Ashworth.

There is no desperation from Howe to return to the dugout so soon after his Newcastle exit, however the 48-year-old is undoubtedly high on United’s list, giving him 7/4 odds from various bookmakers.

Naglesmann leads rest of the pack

Julian Nagelsmann is second-favourite, having left his role as Germany manager following their disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign this summer.

Nagelsmann has been long-considered by United, including before Carrick was appointed permanently and this is the first time the ex-Bayern Munich manager has been available to the club.

Vivell is understood to favour Nagelsmann after assessing him while a director for Chelsea, as well as through his experience with the Red Bull group, giving the 39-year-old odds of 7/2.

Antonio Conte is another name that has been highly-touted, however the Italian coach is not believed to be top of United’s list, with the club wary of the difficulties in keeping him happy in the long-term, although he does have odds of 6/1.

Perhaps United’s ideal choice would be Fabian Hurzeler but the Brighton boss is not interested in the role currently, with his side sitting third in the Premier League, while he also does not have a release clause in his contract, leading him to have odds of 7/1.

Unai Emery is believed to be the final major choice on United’s shortlist but, like Hurzeler, he has no desire to leave his current job as Aston Villa head coach, posing odds of 14/1.

Cesc Fabregas, Kieran McKenna, Gareth Southgate, Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino all wrap up the top ten candidates but it appears that Howe will be United’s first choice to replace Carrick barring a sudden change of heart from Wilcox and the club.

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