Michael Carrick Manager Odds: Man Utd Boss 12/1 to Stay
Michael Carrick is fighting for his job after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, which meant that the team’s winless streak is now eight…
Michael Carrick is fighting for his job after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, which meant that the team’s winless streak is now eight games. Bet365 makes him a 12/1 outsider to still be in charge on New Year’s Day.
The team is now 16th in the English Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone. Sunday’s defeat at Old Trafford was the low point so far, with Bournemouth being well worth their win. The home crowd booed the players off at half-time.
Just three days earlier, they were thrashed 4-0 by Como in the Champions League. Carrick didn’t hide after the game, saying that he would “take responsibility” and that he will continue working as hard as he can until the club makes a decision about his future.
Carrick’s rise was rapid after getting appointed as interim manager in January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim. His first game was a 2-0 win over Manchester City in the derby. Other notable victories were a 3-2 win against eventual league champions Arsenal, victories over Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Tottenham.
Results against lower-ranked sides weren’t as convincing, but Carrick still led the team to third place and a Champions League spot. That was enough to convince the club’s hierarchy to give him the job on a permanent basis, with his contract not expiring until 2028.
United are now eight games without a win, drawing five and losing three. This is equal to the longest winless run in the 21st century for the team, matching the run of Louis van Gaal in late 2015. One more game without a win and Carrick will hold that record on his own.
United found a way last season to win tight games, but that has deserted them so far this season. Tensions are now spilling into the dressing room. Captain Bruno Fernandes publicly criticised the team’s tactics after the Como defeat. Carrick responded by leaving him out of the starting lineup against Bournemouth and not bringing him on. Gary Neville described the club as “a mess” and blamed the owners, the recruitment department, and the players.
Most importantly, the supporters haven’t turned on Carrick himself. Stretford End fans sang his name as he left the pitch on Sunday, saving their anger for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Glazer family, director of football Jason Wilcox, and the players.
Carrick’s next run of games looks brutal on paper. There’s Chelsea, Roma, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Sporting CP, and Brentford. However, Carrick’s side also last season looked the most organised and dangerous against better teams.
There’s also precedent, as Van Gaal survived his eight-game run, with a goalless draw against Chelsea followed by a win against Swansea steadying the ship. A positive result for Carrick at Stamford Bridge would buy him time. A heavy defeat against Chelsea or Liverpool would make his position very hard to defend.
The betting market has made up its mind firmly. In Bet365’s market, Man Utd manager latest odds for who will be in charge on January 1, 2027, Carrick is just 12/1. That implies only an 8% chance that he’ll still be in the dugout when the new year begins.
Former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is the clear favourite at 4/6, giving an implied probability of about 60%. Julian Nagelsmann is next at 5/2, with Howe and the German accounting for almost 90% of the market. This suggests that Bet365 sees the job as a two-horse race if Carrick goes.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org #ad
Antonio Conte has been linked at 7/1, with Kieran McKenna and Unai Emery both being ahead of Carrick:
| Manager | Odds | Implied Chance |
|---|---|---|
| Eddie Howe | 4/6 | 60.0% |
| Julian Nagelsmann | 5/2 | 28.6% |
| Antonio Conte | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Kieran McKenna | 9/1 | 10.0% |
| Unai Emery | 10/1 | 9.1% |
| Michael Carrick | 12/1 | 7.7% |
| Gareth Southgate | 20/1 | 4.8% |
| Darren Fletcher | 25/1 | 3.8% |
| Fabian Hürzeler | 25/1 | 3.8% |
| Ruud van Nistelrooy | 33/1 | 2.9% |
| Cesc Fàbregas | 40/1 | 2.4% |
| Thomas Frank | 40/1 | 2.4% |
| Keith Andrews | 50/1 | 2.0% |
| Mauricio Pochettino | 50/1 | 2.0% |
| Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | 50/1 | 2.0% |
The evidence from the past two months shows why the market has written off Carrick. Eight games without a win, a public row with his captain, and a point above the drop zone would test the position of most managers.
However, the fans remain behind him, he’s only five months into a contract that runs until 2028, and the next few weeks bring fixtures he has thrived in over the past season.
A few strong results against teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Aston Villa could change the mood very quickly. The next fortnight will probably decide Carrick’s fate.