Carrick under fire after 153 days as four British bosses headline United manager odds

Michael Carrick is facing the sack as Manchester United head coach just 153 days into the job, with the club’s 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como on Wednesday accelerating a crisis that has been building since the season began.

Captain Bruno Fernandes publicly criticised Carrick after the Como loss — United’s second defeat in three Champions League fixtures this season, with their only European win coming against Sabah. In the Premier League, they have beaten only Ipswich Town. The combination of poor results and dressing-room tension has left Carrick’s position looking untenable.

Eddie Howe is the frontrunner to succeed him. The former Newcastle United manager left St James’ Park in the summer after nearly five full seasons, during which he guided the Magpies to their first major trophy in 70 years and two Champions League campaigns. He is currently the bookmakers’ favourite for the role.

Julian Nagelsmann, who has managed both Germany and Bayern Munich, is available at around 4/1, while Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler and former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte are both priced at approximately 6/1. Cesc Fabregas — whose Como side inflicted Wednesday’s humiliation — is listed at 11/1, a notable entry given the circumstances of his inclusion.

Kieran McKenna, once considered a leading internal candidate at Old Trafford, is rated at 14/1 alongside Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and England head coach Thomas Tuchel. Gareth Southgate follows at 16/1, with Mauricio Pochettino, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Carlo Ancelotti all available at 25/1. Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who served as Carrick’s immediate predecessor in a caretaker capacity, is listed at 33/1, making him the second-most fancied ex-player behind the 100/1 duo of Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney — alongside former manager Erik ten Hag at the same price.

Carrick remains in charge for now, with Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth and Chelsea next on the schedule. United’s difficulties, however, are widely understood to extend well beyond the dugout, and any managerial appointment is as likely to reflect the club’s structural instability as resolve it.