Next Man Utd Boss Odds: Eddie Howe Becomes New Bet365 Favourite

Eddie Howe has been installed as the new favourite at Bet365 to take over the reins at Manchester United should Michael Carrick be sacked.

Having traded at a 5/1 price with the reputable UK bookmaker a couple of weeks ago, Howe, who has been out of work for a few months after leaving Newcastle United over the summer, is the frontrunner at 4/6.

The mood music has shifted at Old Trafford, and the 3-0 reverse at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League yesterday spelled a disastrous week for the Red Devils. But Bet365's line on who will be the ‘Next Permanent Manchester United’ as of January 1, 2027 has seen plenty of movement.

Shortlist drawn up

Despite previous suggestions that United wouldn’t axe Carrick early on in the campaign, the incumbent appears to be teetering on the edge. A 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth came off the back of a 4-1 thrashing away to Como in the Champions League saw United plunge to new lows.

The defeat against Bournemouth, in particular, raised eyebrows as captain Bruno Fernandes was left on the bench, a decision that ultimately backfired. There were reports that Carrick held crisis talks with United’s technical director Jason Wilcox and Chief Executive Omar Berrada after the game, and he has supposedly been left in the dark over his future.

Now, it seems United could accelerate Carrick’s departure, given the club are now eight games without a win in all competitions, and currently hovering just above the relegation spot in 16th. Aside from Howe, former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann has seen his odds shortened to 5/2 from 10/1 with Bet365.

Meanwhile, ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has seen his price drift to 7/1. Although he still features predominantly in the betting market and there were suggestions that the Italian was at an advanced stage in discussions over potentially taking over, things have quietened on that front.

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Pressure mounting

Inevitably, the pressure has been mounting on Carrick. He has presided over United’s worst start to a Premier League season, and they have collected just seven points from eight league games, the fewest at this stage of the campaign since 1986-87 (four).

After the loss to Bournemouth, Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville intimated that United will “probably sack Carrick”. Fellow commentator Jamie Carragher suggested that Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, who is currently available at 10/1 with Bet365, should be considered a top target to succeed Carrick if the axe is wielded.

He said:

“He [Emery] is a manager I look at when I think about Manchester United. I think Emery is the best manager in the Premier League. Yes, his record in the Europa League is amazing, but surely somebody who is that successful wants to be known in the Champions League.

“He’s had two experiences that haven’t gone particularly well for him, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. And I just think surely he would want that opportunity to prove himself at an absolute giant of a football club. Sorry, Villa fans.”

Tough run of games

Judging by United’s next run of games, things won’t get any easier. A league trip away to Chelsea on Saturday is followed by the visit of Roma in the Champions League and then domestic showdowns with Villa and Liverpool.

Carrick appears to be teetering on the edge, and confidence is wavering. Only time will tell as to whether he can survive the storm.