MANCHESTER UNITED legend Ruud van Nistelrooy remains the red hot favourite to replace Erik ten Hag as the club’s manager.
That’s according to bookmakers talkSPORT BET, who’ve updated their latest betting odds following the news that Thomas Tuchel has been appointed England manager.
Tuchel, 51, was previously second-favourite at 9/4 for the United job but the club’s hierarchy will now have to look elsewhere.
And the odds suggest they’re looking in the direction of four bosses with Van Nistelrooy, Gareth Southgate, Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna at the top of the markets.
That said, another international break has come and gone with Ten Hag still in charge at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman was backed with around £200million this summer, but results and performances remain typically uninspired.
The 54-year-old has overseen a disastrous start to the 2024-25 campaign having won only three of his 11 competitive matches.
Manchester United have league wins over Southampton and Fulham, and sit 14th in the division with eight points from a possible 21 – four ahead of winless Ipswich Town.
Only promoted Southampton have scored fewer than United’s five league goals, while Ten Hag’s side have the seventh-highest xGC (expected goals conceded) in the Premier League.
Ten Hag is the odds-on favourite to be the first Premier League manager of the season to receive his marching orders, so let’s take a closer look at who could replace him.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
- Current role: Manchester United assistant manager
- Odds for Man Utd job: 2/1
Was brought in as assistant manager with an improvement in the forward areas expected.
While that’s proved a difficult task, he could yet take on an even bigger role in replacing his fellow countryman.
United legend, Van Nistelrooy was brought in over the summer as part of the backroom staff but has been strongly linked with the main hotseat after this poor start.
Management experience at PSV.
Gareth Southgate
- Current role: Unemployed
- Odds for Man Utd job: 4/1
Gareth Southgate’s name has been well-linked with this job pretty much all year.
The former England boss was reportedly the number one choice of Sir Jim Ratcliffe during his takeover process, with new technical director Jason Wilcox also a fan.
Stepped down following a dismal Euro 2024 campaign and yet to find a new management role since.
He’s also worked with sporting director Dan Ashworth at the FA, which also sways things in his favour.
Michael Carrick
- Current role: Middlesbrough manager
- Odds for Man Utd job: 5/1
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick appears to be the main beneficiary from Thomas Tuchel leaving the managerial race.
Carrick, 43, won five Premier League titles and the Champions League during his 12 years as a player, making 464 appearances between 2006 and 2018.
His odds have HALVED from 10/1 to 5/1 over the last 24 hours.
No doubt his CV has improved during his spell at the Riverside after a fourth-placed finish and a Carabao Cup semi-final – but it doesn’t really compare with that of a Tuchel.
Kieran McKenna
- Current role: Ipswich Town boss
- Odds for Man Utd job: 10/1
The Ipswich boss was well in contention for both the Chelsea and Brighton roles over the summer but neither move materialised.
Instead, penned new deal at Portman Road and has steadied the ship after a difficult start to the season, when losing to Liverpool and Manchester City in opening two weeks.
His style of play at Ipswich was one thing but back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League has shown he’s a winner and puts him in the shop window for a host of top clubs.
Has worked at United in their academy previously so should have some idea of the job at hand.
Other Man Utd next manager contenders
Next Man Utd manager odds
talkSPORT BET prices
- Ruud Van Nistelrooy – 2/1
- Gareth Southgate – 4/1
- Michael Carrick – 5/1
- Kieran McKenna – 6/1
- Graham Potter – 10/1
- Thomas Frank – 14/1
GRAHAM POTTER (10/1) dominated this particular market for the majority of last season.
Potter, who also has previous of working with Dan Ashworth at Brighton, has remained out of work since his sacking from Chelsea at the beginning of last year though and recently broke silence on links with United.
Has met owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and no surprises should his odds shorten again if a job here becomes available.
THOMAS FRANK (14/1) saw considerable support in the summer and could be one United look at again if continued success in current role.
The Dane revealed he was really happy at Brentford as the season kicked off and they’ve started season reasonably well.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
