MANCHESTER UNITED may have sorted out the short-term future of the club, but there is still a big decision over the long-term future looming over Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick has agreed to take over until the end of the season on an interim basis while club chiefs search for the next permanent gaffer for the Red Devils.
Ineos and the Glazers will be desperate to get it right this time after Ruben Amorim‘s disaster spell in the dugout.
While growing frustration amongst the supporters puts even more pressure on the United bigwigs to make the right choice.
The manager market isn’t exactly flush with obvious candidates, but there’s still some exciting options that could start Man Utd ticking back in the right direction.
Here SunSport runs through seven potential options that could take over on a permanent basis going forward…
MICHAEL CARRICK
Carrick may be looking at the second half of this season as an audition.
The former United midfielder could do enough to impress the higher ups that he is the right man for the job.
Of course, those at boardroom level will be wary of making the same mistake they did with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose honeymoon interim period didn’t last for as long as they would have hoped.
GARETH SOUTHGATE
Southgate has been linked with the job at United for a long time and was even tipped for the role before Amorim was hired.
The former England manager is yet to return to management since walking away from the Three Lions in 2024, but could be the perfect candidate to steady what looks like a sinking ship in Manchester at the moment.
Fans already reckon the club could be preparing for his arrival too, after it was revealed that his ex-England assistant Steve Holland will be part of Carrick’s backroom staff during his interim spell.
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LUIS ENRIQUE
There’s no doubt that Luis Enrique is a top quality manager.
The Spaniard has won the Champions League with both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain and is a two-time World Coach of the Year.
However, he is still in charge of the Parisians and tied down to a deal that runs until the end of next season at the Parc des Princes.
Prising him away from the European champions would be difficult – and expensive – but there have been whispers in France that he could be ready for a new challenge soon.
XABI ALONSO
Nobody would have considered Alonso as a potential option a week ago, but his decision to leave Real Madrid opens the door to a potential appointment.
His time in Madrid didn’t exactly set the world alight as he failed to lift any silverware, but it doesn’t undo the incredible work he did at Bayer Leverkusen to earn the Los Blancos job.
Alonso guided Leverkusen to an Invincible double winning domestic season and reached the Europa League final, only to succumb to Atalanta at the last hurdle.
OLIVER GLASNER
Glasner has earned himself a fantastic reputation in the Premier League since taking over at Crystal Palace in 2024 and reportedly even turned down the opportunity to take over at Bayern Munich during his first season in charge.
However, things have gone down hill since winning the FA Cup with the Eagles.
Palace have struggled for consistent form in the league this season and were embarrassed by a third round FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league minnows Macclesfield at the weekend.
That said, Glasner’s CV is still more than impressive and perhaps a new challenge is exactly what he needs to get back to his best.
THOMAS TUCHEL
United are set to have Carrick in place until the summer, at which point Tuchel will be guiding his brave lions in North America for the World Cup.
But the former Chelsea manager is only contracted with the England national team until the end of the tournament, at which point he will be available for a club job should he want one.
Wayne Rooney has described the German as an “outstanding candidate”, while Tuchel’s record as Chelsea manager saw him lift the Champions League.
ANDONI IRAOLA
Similarly to Glasner, Iraola has impressed in the Premier League over the last couple of campaigns.
His Bournemouth team have been overachieving when compared to the sum of their parts, but are in a tougher period this season.
Iraola would bring a different kind of football to Old Trafford compared to Amorim, opting for an aggressive press and a more dominant style – something the United fans would welcome with open arms.
Next Manchester United manager odds
Man Utd manager on opening day of 2026/27 season
- Michael Carrick – 4/7
- Ole Gunnar Solskjær – 5/1
- Oliver Glasner – 15/2
- Xabi Alonso – 17/2
- Thomas Tuchel – 10/1
- Gareth Southgate – 12/1
- Julian Nagelsmann – 25/1
- Andoni Iraola – 25/1
- Luis Enrique – 25/1
