Premier League · Manchester United

Who’ll Be Man United Boss on New Year’s Day? Eddie Howe 4/6 Favourite as Carrick Clings On

Betting Tips · Updated 26 October 2026 · #AD · 18+ · Contains affiliate links

Here we go again. Five months after being handed the job permanently, Michael Carrick is fighting for his future at Old Trafford, and the bookies have already started picking his successor. After Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, bet365 have opened a market on who’ll be Manchester United manager on 1 January 2027 — and former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is the clear 4/6 favourite. Here’s how we got here, the full odds and who we think ends up in the hot seat.

How Did It Go So Wrong So Fast?

It’s easy to forget that Carrick was the feel-good story of last season. Stepping in after Ruben Amorim was sacked in January, he took United on a strong run, finished third and was rewarded with the permanent job in May. Eight league games into this season, that all feels a long time ago.

United are 16th with seven points, just one above the relegation zone, and it’s their worst start at this stage of a season since 1986/87. They’ve won just twice in 12 games in all competitions and are now winless in eight. Last Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat at Como in the Champions League was bad enough, but Bruno Fernandes then went public with criticism of the tactics — and on Sunday the captain didn’t get off the bench as Bournemouth won 3-0 at Old Trafford.

After the game, Carrick was honest about where he stands: it’s a tough situation, he said, with no hiding from it. At the time of writing he is still in charge, with United due at Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime.

To Be Man United Manager on 1 January 2027 — Full Odds

Odds correct at the time of writing (26 October 2026) and subject to change. This market settles on the manager in charge on 1 January 2027 — check bet365’s market rules, including how caretaker or interim appointments are treated, before placing a bet.

See the full market here →

The Main Contenders

Eddie Howe 4/6

The obvious one. Howe left Newcastle in July after almost five years, having taken them into the Champions League twice and ended their 70-year wait for a major trophy with the Carabao Cup in 2025. He’s available, he knows the Premier League inside out, and reports suggest United’s director of football Jason Wilcox is a fan. His price has tumbled over the weekend, and it’s easy to see why.

Julian Nagelsmann 5/2

Nagelsmann stepped down as Germany head coach in July after their World Cup exit, so he’s also free to start straight away. He’s still only in his thirties but has already managed Bayern Munich, and he’s been one of the big movers in this market over the last week. If United want a statement appointment rather than a safe pair of hands, he’s the name.

Antonio Conte 7/1

The former Chelsea and Spurs boss has won the Premier League before and has been linked with United on and off for years. Short-term impact is what he does best — the question is whether United’s owners want that kind of intensity again.

Kieran McKenna 9/1 & Unai Emery 10/1

McKenna spent time on United’s coaching staff earlier in his career and has been linked with big jobs ever since he made his name in management. Emery, meanwhile, has Villa flying again after beating Man City last weekend, and Jamie Carragher has already said he’d be his ideal pick. Prising him away from Villa mid-season looks a tall order, though.

Michael Carrick 12/1

Don’t write him off completely. This market is about who’s in charge on New Year’s Day, not who’s next — so if Carrick gets a result at Stamford Bridge and the board holds its nerve, 12/1 starts to look interesting. On current form, though, it’s a big if.

The Long Shots

Gareth Southgate (20/1) has been linked with United for years and is out of work. Darren Fletcher (25/1) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (33/1) have both stepped in as interim boss before, so they come into play if the club makes a change and takes its time over a permanent appointment. Fabian Hürzeler (25/1) has Brighton third in the table, while Cesc Fàbregas (40/1) is the Como manager who just thumped United 4-1 — you can’t say he hasn’t made an impression. Further down you’ll find Brentford’s Keith Andrews, Mauricio Pochettino and a certain Ole Gunnar Solskjær, all at 50/1.

Our Tips

Remember, nothing is decided until the club makes an announcement, and markets like this can move fast on a single report. These are our opinions, not guarantees.

The Bottom Line

Carrick’s spell as permanent boss looks to be heading for an early end, and bet365’s market makes it a two-horse race between Howe and Nagelsmann. Howe looks the most likely appointment right now, but with more than two months until New Year’s Day, a result at Chelsea — or a slow search — could still change everything.