The hopes of a brave new dawn for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United look well and truly extinguished. The roar from Blundell Park when Grimsby slotted a 12th penalty to dump the Red Devils out of the Carabao Cup must have sounded like the final nail in the coffin for the Portuguese legend. Rough times for Man U fans, but prime opportunity for punters, with plenty of value to be had in the Manchester United Next Permanent Manager odds.
Following their devastating defeat to League Two’s Grimsby, it feels like the writing is on the wall for Ruben Amorim. And, if it is the end, you may consider it a mercy killing.
Amorim’s Man U has a dismal winning percentage of 24.1% in the Premier League, that’s just seven of 29 league matches, worse than any manager in the post Alex Ferguson era. The total haul of 42 points is the worst in their history, leaving the Red Devils at a record low 15th place in a league they once dominated.
It’s no surprise then that he’s now overtaken Nuno Espirito Santo in the Premier League sack race, but we’re still shocked at such a colossal fall from grace for a man who led Sporting CP to the Primeira Liga title in the 2023-24 season.
But make no mistake, heading one of England’s biggest clubs is still a highly coveted gig, with a broad spectrum of potential candidates in the mix. So, which Manchester United Permanent Manager tips will best suit your predictions and betting strategy? To give you a leg up, we’ve rounded up half a dozen of the best value options, ideal whether you’re playing it safe or looking for something a little bit riskier.
Manchester United Next Permanent Manager Odds
| Next Permanent Manchester United Manager | Odds from BetVictor | Return from £10 |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Carrick | 5/1 | £50 |
| Gareth Southgate | 6/1 | £60 |
| Oliver Glasner | 6/1 | £60 |
| Mauricio Pochettino | 8/1 | £80 |
| Xavi Hernández | 8/1 | £80 |
| Andoni Iraola | 8/1 | £80 |
| Zinedine Zidane | 12/1 | £120 |
*Odds correct as of 1:37pm 28/08/2025
Manchester United Next Permanent Manager Tips
12 Years a Devil: Could Former Midfielder Carrick Be Back for a Baker’s Dozen and Beyond? (5/1)
The former Middlesbrough boss is the bookies’ favourite to land the Old Trafford hot seat. And you know what? We’re with them on this one. Sure, he couldn’t guide Boro out of the Championship and got the boot, but if that was enough to stop managers from having another go, we’d soon be watching the merch shop staff run the show for a match or two.
He’s got two major things going for him. Well, three if you count the fact he’s currently unemployed. First up, he did a decent job as caretaker manager before Ralf Rangnick took over in December 2021. Plus, for the main part, his stint at Boro was solid. He took a team teetering near Championship relegation and had them pushing for a Premier League promotion by late 2022. They didn’t quite make it, but it’s still a respectable record.
The other big plus? His history with Manchester United. Carrick spent 12 years at the club, so he knows the ins and outs better than most outsiders ever could. And just as importantly, he’s passionate about seeing the Red Devils succeed. In these dark times, that kind of positivity and perseverance matters.
5/1 odds might make him the favourite, but you don’t need our returns calculator to know that’s still a tasty punt.
Safety-First Southgate to Steady the Ship? (6/1)
Let’s be honest, after leading England to their most successful campaigns in generations, even with no silverware to show for it, the only thing likely to coax Southgate away from sitting at home with as much Pizza Hut as he bloody well pleases is a proper big job.
We can just picture him now, telling Harry Maguire to grab hold of his waistcoat, the centre-back’s colossal cranium bobbing with delight as the team climbs out of the pit of mediocrity they’ve found themselves in.
In all seriousness, he might be the sort of traditional, old-fashioned manager United need to steady the ship. A safety-first leader. Because while they’re not bothering the top relegation odds right now, it no longer seems impossible, so a little bit of caution might be exactly what’s required. We reckon 6/1 odds are fair, though there’s better value on the table.
Soaring Ambitions: Could Glasner Take Off at Old Trafford? (6/1)
Not only has Glasner taken The Eagles soaring to new heights, but he’s partially done so at the expense of Mancunian teams. His side beat Manchester City to lift their first major trophy in the FA Cup final at Wembley and hammered Man United 4-0 for their first league double over the Red Devils in history. Add a Community Shield win to that, and his tenure at Selhurst Park has been highly successful.
Yet Glasner is frustrated. Just £2 million was spent in the summer transfer window. Then there was that unceremonious demotion to the Conference League over a violation of multi-club ownership rules. To put it bluntly, the likelihood of Palace losing him seems to grow daily.
He turned down Bayern Munich last year for what would have been a record-breaking £15.5 million fee. But considering how little has been done to build on Palace’s achievements, he might now be tempted by a hefty offer. He’s proven what he can achieve with limited resources, and Manchester United, despite their struggles, could be the dream ticket. We’d consider 6/1 odds among the very best available.
Full-Throttle Football at the Theatre of Dreams? Poch Says Yes (8/1)
If Manchester United want stability, Southgate looks the obvious choice. But if they fancy throwing caution to the wind, current US national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino is a tantalising high-risk, high-reward prospect. A move for him could not only shake up United but potentially the Premier League too, especially if it happens sooner rather than later.
Pochettino is an attack-minded manager through and through. His trademark 4-2-3-1 press prioritises aggression and energy, and he’s not afraid to put young talent front and centre. Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, and James Ward-Prowse are just a handful of names who blossomed under his guidance.
In short, United’s top brass faces a choice: try to put out fires or light the torch for a whole new era. If it’s the latter, then Pochettino at 8/1 looks like exceptional value.
Psychologist-in-Chief? Great Odds on Xavi to Heal United’s Heartache (8/1)
The end of Xavi’s stint at Barcelona was anything but graceful. After back-to-back defeats to PSG in the Champions League and to Real Madrid in El Clásico, he reversed his decision to step down, only for the club president to thank him politely and show him the door anyway. It was the managerial equivalent of saying you want to work on the relationship, only to find out your partner’s already packed their bags. Brutal.
But that’s Barcelona for you: nothing short of greatness is good enough. Contrast that with Manchester United, who at this point might happily settle for “pretty good.” And that’s exactly what Xavi can deliver. After all, he guided Barça to the Copa del Rey and helped restore their status as a top team after the 2022 slump. That sort of resurgence is exactly what the Red Devils need right now.
What’s more, Xavi has made no secret of how seriously he takes man-management, once describing modern coaches as “half tacticians, half psychologists.” And honestly, who at Old Trafford wouldn’t want a long lie-down on the therapist’s couch after that penalty shoot-out? At 8/1, we’d say these odds are off by about at least 20% or so. A great mid-risk value bet.
Positivity Punt: Could Iraola Bring the Sunshine Back to Old Trafford? (8/1)
It might feel like no one has many kind words for Manchester United right now. But at least they’ve still got a fan in Andoni Iraola, who described them as “a hell of a team” after his Bournemouth side were dismantled by the Red Devils. Say what you like about him, he knows how to be a gracious loser. And to be fair, finishing ninth with the Cherries last season is a far cry from stagnating just above the relegation zone.
Plus, his Bournemouth contract runs only until 2026, and his track record, not least his fantastic run with Rayo Vallecano, shows he’s no pushover. More importantly, he radiates the kind of positivity Man United desperately need right now. A caretaker manager, a quick break, then the Iraola era? Why not.
Zidane and the £200 Million Question: Is This the Right Time for Zizou? (12/1)
It’s long been rumoured that Zinedine Zidane might one day take the wheel of Manchester United’s colossal ship. He’s certainly got the nerve for such a huge undertaking, and this time it could actually happen, provided the conditions are right.
Back in 2024, his former France teammate Emmanuel Petit suggested that the “quality of the players” would be the deciding factor for Zizou. And with over £200 million splashed on the likes of Sesko, Mbeumo, and Cunha, they’re certainly trying to get there. The need for a new goalkeeper is still glaring, but with optimism building around Antwerp’s Senne Lemmens, it could be enough to sweeten the deal. Truth be told, 12/1 feels spot on.
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