Man Utd next manager odds: Clear favourite to replace Michael Carrick emerges after Brighton humiliation
Former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has emerged as the clear favourite to take over from Michael Carrick, should the Englishman lose his job at Old Trafford.
Carrick oversaw a historic loss on Wednesday evening, versus Brighton in the Carabao Cup — becoming the first Red Devils side since 1976 to lose at Old Trafford from two goals up.
READ NEXT: Michael Carrick finally addresses JJ Gabriel situation after Man United crash out of Carabao Cup
Eddie Howe emerges as clear favourite to replace under pressure Michael Carrick
According to Sky Bet, the former Magpies manager’s odds of managing Manchester United sit at 15/8, with current England gaffer Thomas Tuchel next up at 3/1.
In third is Julian Nagelsmann, at 5/1; all other managerial options sit at odds of 10/1 or slimmer. Howe departed from Newcastle in July after leading his side to a 12th-placed Premier League finish last term.
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Many fans suspect Carrick’s job is under immediate pressure, having taken just four points from four games to start the 2026-27 Premier League season.
The Red Devils’ domestic campaign began with a 2-0 defeat on the road at Hull in August, which was painfully overshadowed last Sunday by a 1-0 derby day loss versus Manchester City.
That defeat was made worse by Enzo Maresca’s side losing Phil Foden to a red card within just 23 minutes — Manchester City scored and kept a clean sheet with only 10 men.
Against Brighton on Wednesday evening, Shea Lacey — who appeared to jab at fellow youngster JJ Gabriel in a social media post on Tuesday — opened the scoring, which Mason Mount added to.
The Red Devils were up 2-0 after just 10 minutes, then a 45+1-minute strike from Charalampos Kostoulas halved the deficit.
In the second, goals from Pascal Grob and Maxim De Cuyper put the Carabao Cup Fourth Round clash in the Seagulls’ hands. At 3-2 down, Manchester United were unable to fight back.
Manchester United make decision on Michael Carrick’s future after Brighton embarrassment
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Manchester United have ‘absolutely no plans’ to sack Carrick, despite the club’s Old Trafford humiliation on Wednesday.
That message was received loud and clear from club sources, with the Red Devils attempting to avoid ‘knee-jerk reactions’ in the aftermath of recent Premier League and Carabao Cup results.
“Listen, the club firmly believe they have a very good young head coach in Michael Carrick. There will be no knee-jerk reactions here,” said a TEAMtalk club source.
“Things have not gone for Michael and the team in many ways thus far," they confessed. “Two wonder goals at Everton prevented the win, in a game they should have won.
“Sunday’s game against Man City was decided by a goal that even the Premier League have since confirmed should not have stood,” the source concluded.
Carrick — who finally addressed the club’s recent JJ Gabriel saga after losing to Brighton — is also believed, internally, to be suffering from transfer shortcomings beyond the Englishman’s control.
According to TEAMtalk, Carrick identified two positions, forward and left-back, which required reinforcement. Manchester United failed to provide those players ahead of 2026-27.
On whether the Englishman himself feels insecure in his position, after receiving boos at Old Trafford, Carrick was quick to dismiss concerns. “I don’t feel under pressure,” clarified the 45-year-old.
“Either way, [being booed] doesn’t bother me one bit. I understand what goes on outside and how the world works, but it doesn’t bother me.
“What bothers me is winning games, having a good feeling around the place and a good feeling around the group to know we’re moving in a good direction,” Carrick concluded.
Topics: Michael Carrick, Eddie Howe, Premier League, Football News, Carabao Cup
Kedar Bayley