Who Replaces Ruben Amorim? Manchester United's Next Manager Options Ranked by Odds

Who Replaces Ruben Amorim? Manchester United's Next Manager Options Ranked by Odds

As we now know going into 2026 Ruban Amorim won’t be in the dugout during Manchester United games after he was sacked due to criticism of the board at United. So, who will be stepping in? Who are currently the bookies favourites for the position as the Red Devils head coach?

🚨💣 BREAKING: Rúben Amorim has just been SACKED by Manchester United.

Decision made this morning. pic.twitter.com/Xmz3x8mkO6

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 5, 2026

5 – Enzo Maresca at 12/1

The first name we see on this list was the first manager who lost his job in 2026. The ex-Chelsea manager has emerged as one of the favourite names to take the position at United after rumours of the board admiring him for some time. The old Chelsea coach could be a good fit for United whose board have become known for wanting the club to play a system that sees them using a conventional 4 at the back, something Maresca did at Chelsea.

The Italian wouldn’t cost the club anything as he currently is a free agent, however, they would struggle to land him as a manager for several reasons with one of them being because of their city rivals. Manchester City are already looking for potential replacements for Pep Guardiola should he leave in the summer with one of the names high on their list being Maresca who has already been at the club. The second issue is something Maresca has already dealt with and shown he heavily dislikes, and that is having little control within the club, having left Chelsea for this himself. With both him and Amorim leaving their clubs for similar things, he is very unlikely to take the job if he believes he will end up in the same situation.

4 – Michael Carrick 12/1

A name that hasn’t too long ago left United after taking up the position of interim coach at the club. During the 21/22 season Carrick stepped up taking control of a few games after former player and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lost his job. While only being the manager for 3 matches he did not lose 1 of them winning 2 and drawing 1. However, he would then leave the club and after just under a year of not having a club, would get given the position of head coach at Middlesbrough where he would spend just under 3 years averaging a 1.6 points per game. While this is far from the most glamorous name that is one the list and probably not a name United fans will want to see as a manager, based on what other teams in the league are trying to do, it would not be out of the question to see him return to the dugout, this time permanently.

3 – Oliver Glasner 8/1

The current manager of Crystal Palace is probably the most well-known and glamorous name on this list with Enzo Maresca. With him being out of contract at the end of the season, it would likely see United wait with a caretaker manager until the season has finished before they make a move for Glasner to try and save money. The name has started to become more of a house-hold name especially after Palace’s victory in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

The idea of him becoming United’s manager might be a good idea in theory for United fans as he is a manager who has already shown he can get success in England and creates teams that have a strong defence, something United have struggled with before. However, the main issue that will come with Glasner is the same issue that Amorim had, he won’t have the players to play his system and tactics. Like Amorim, Glasner likes to play with a 3-4-2-1 system something he has managed to build at Crystal Palace, however, as we have seen and heard at United, they struggle to get the best from this system lacking the midfield to effectively use it. Therefore, it is unlikely that Glasner comes in and if he does, it is unlikely that he succeeds.

2 – Darren Fletcher – 6/1

This is a name that United fans could hear for either a short period or until next season depending on when they get a permanent manager in. However, based on how long he stays and how well he does, it isn’t impossible for him to see the job become his permanently. The main issue that comes with Fletcher is the fact he has simply never managed at the top level with United’s trip to Burnley being his first ever senior game as a manager. To put is simply, we don’t know at all what to expect from him or United under his care, so there is little to take from this other than the fact he is currently the man in charge.

1 – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 3/1

A return of a fan favourite as manager is what the bookies have predicted as the most likely as it stands. This is a man who has been manager at the club before and knows what it means to represent the badge. After losing his job at Besiktas at the start of the season, Solskjaer has been looking for a new job for a few months and a return to where he spent his career would make sense. He wouldn’t be the worst manager for them having gotten them their joint best finish in the last 10 years finishing second back in 20/21 season. He is a manager who would be able to win over both the fans and players taking control of the dressing room and would be a lost less likely to clash with the owners when it comes to their decisions.

🚨 Manchester United, aware of Ole Gunnar Solksjær being keen on return even on a six month contract.

Solskjær would love to be back and help Man United as caretaker manager.#MUFC start internal process today to assess short term options — then new permanent manager from June. pic.twitter.com/ANjXDQWa4G

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 6, 2026

As is currently stands the favourite is the return of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However, this could change depending on how the manager market evolves and what the owners and sporting directors want as a manager. Overall, it looks like United is currently favouring a manager who either knows the league or the club over a super-star manager such as Xavi Hernandez someone else linked with the job.