10 subsequent Man Utd supervisor choices if beneath stress Michael Carrick will get sacked

Michael Carrick is under pressure in a nightmare week at Manchester United with fans jeering his flops off the pitch after they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton.

Just days after failing to beat 10-men Manchester City at home in the Premier League – with an offside Erling Haaland goal rubbing further salt in the Red Devils wounds – and while still coming to terms with the shocking news that 15-year-old wonderkid JJ Gabriel wants to quit the club, United were embarrassed by Brighton, after surrendering a two-goal lead and losing 3-2.

It marks the third consecutive occasion they have stumbled at the first hurdle in cup competition under a third different manager. Ruben Amorim was at the helm for the Carabao Cup reverse against Grimsby early last season while Darren Fletcher was serving as caretaker when Brighton eliminated them from the FA Cup in January. Former Middlesbrough manager and legendary United midfielder Carrick took over the role and sparked an impressive revival, leading the club to a third placed finish and securing Champions League qualification in May.

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But after losing the first game of this season to newly-promoted Hull City, coming from behind to beat Ipswich Town, then conceding a last-gasp equaliser in a draw at Everton and suffering another defeat to their local rivals on Sunday – following a thrashing of minnows Sabah in the Champions League – Carrick was in need of a big win on Wednesday evening, only to endure a crushing loss. Now talk is rife about whether another managerial switch could materialise earlier than anticipated at Old Trafford.

Here’s the frontrunners if Carrick is sacked. Ex-Newcastle United chief Eddie Howe leads the pack to become United’s next permanent boss at 15/8. The Englishman departed St James’ Park during the summer following nearly five years at the helm, having broken a 70-year trophy drought. Howe is also just 6/1 to take on the England manager’s role before making a comeback to club football.

Another favourite for the United position, Julian Nagelsmann, already has international experience and is 5/1. Nagelsmann vacated his post as Germany manager following their premature World Cup exit, with Jurgen Klopp stepping into his shoes. He boasts a Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich but departed the Bavarian outfit midway through his second season in charge in 2023.

Thomas Tuchel (3/1) was the one who filled Nagelsmann’s shoes then, and the current England boss is the third favourite. Prior to Carrick’s permanent appointment, he was linked with United, only to sign a contract extension that would keep him at the helm of the Three Lions until Euro 2028.

All other contenders are considerably longer shots, with two more ex-international managers next in line. Former Italy boss Antonio Conte (10/1), who was linked with the United job in 2021 before ultimately landing at Tottenham, is a past Premier League winner with Chelsea.

Ex-England manager Gareth Southgate (14/1), who is highly regarded by United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS hierarchy, has long been connected with the job of reviving the fallen giants, who last lifted the title with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

Also 14/1 is Kieran McKenna, who previously served on United’s coaching staff and remains available after departing Ipswich Town following their second successive promotion to the Premier League.

Fellow United academy coach Darren Fletcher (20/1) seemed happy to continue overseeing the Under-18s following his temporary stint in January, which may explain his lengthy odds. He could perhaps again step into the void as a caretaker boss if Carrick leaves, however.

Carlo Ancelotti (20/1) is another name that surfaced earlier this year before he renewed his deal as Brazil boss, though the Selecao subsequently disappointed at the World Cup. Yet he is a serial winner with a record five Champions League triumphs from his time at AC Milan and Real Madrid.

Fabian Hurzeler, the mastermind behind Brighton’s remarkable turnaround on Wednesday, is 25/1. The young German coach is one of the most exciting prospects on the list but yet to make his mark at a top six club.

There’s identical odds on Mauricio Pochettino, the United States manager, who has expressed his ambition to eventually return to the Premier League after spells with Tottenham and Chelsea. “My dream now is to be in the USA for four years, but after that, why not?” he told Sky Sports earlier in September.