Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sat 7 March 2026 14:04, UK

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PSG manager Luis Enrique is in the running to be the next Manchester United manager as decision-makers at Old Trafford weigh up their options.

Michael Carrick remains the favourite to take over the Red Devils after dragging his side into the race for Champions League football upon his return to his former club.

The former midfielder led Man United to wins over Manchester City and Arsenal in the opening weeks of his tenure, but recent weeks have seen some doubts arise.

The Red Devils were beaten by Newcastle United on Wednesday, despite having played against 10 men for the entirety of the second half.

Man United’s next manager will not be a rushed appointment, with decision-makers expected to broach several candidates.

Bookies slash Luis Enrique odds

Carrick has reiterated that he is not yet thinking about the possibility of being named the permanent Man United manager, yet the 44-year-old cannot confirm that it is not at the back of his mind.

The coming months will prove defining in that respect, with the Red Devils expected, from this position, to utilise the advantage of having no other competitions to worry about to achieve Champions League qualification.

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider last month that Carrick will be Man United’s next manager if they do finish in the top four.

Yet it does remain a possibility that decision-makers decide to go in a different direction. Lessons surely have been learned from the appointments of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.

Depending on how the season finishes, Man United must determine whether Carrick’s tenure has been a flash in the pan, or indeed grounds for a long-term improvement.

He remains the favourite to be appointed permanently at 5/6, but one major bookmaker has slashed Enrique’s odds to 12/1 in recent hours. Julian Nagelsmann (7/1), Oliver Glasner (8/1), and Roberto De Zerbi (12/1) remain in the race.

Carrick refuses to rule out permanent stay

Carrick has largely elected to deflect talk of his permanent appointment, with the manager keen to keep focus on the end of the season.

But as long as he remains the favourite, he will continue to be asked about the upcoming talks.

“There’s not really an awful lot I can say about it, to be honest,” he said when asked following Man United’s victory over Crystal Palace earlier this month.

“I love being here. I love doing what I’m doing. I’ve said it from the start: I’m not making any decisions for short-term or quick fixes. I think it’s the responsibility, however long I’m here, to make decisions that are the best for the football club in the long term.

“Of course, winning games helps and the boys are doing great with that. We’ll just have to see where it ends up.”