Manchester United sack Michael Carrick - Can Mauricio Pochettino Save the Red Devils from Relegation?
Manchester United have dismissed Michael Carrick after a disastrous start to the 2026/27 season, leaving the club 18th in the Premier League. Mauricio Pochettino is the strong favourite to take over, with bookmakers viewing his appointment as likely. Despite United’s current struggles, the betting markets indicate that a top half finish remains possible if Pochettino can stabilise the squad and address defensive weaknesses. However, a bottom half finish is now a realistic risk if the new manager bounce does not materialise. Odds referenced are correct as of 12 November 2026.
- Manchester United have sacked Michael Carrick
- Mauricio Pochettino is the clear favourite to take over
- The Red Devils sit 18th in the Premier League
The inevitable has finally happened at Old Trafford. Following a disastrous start to the 2026/27 season, Manchester United have sacked manager Michael Carrick.
For bettors and fans alike, the situation presents a fascinating opportunity. A club of United’s stature sitting in the relegation zone has fundamentally shifted the the outright markets.
Here is a look at how it all fell apart, who is poised to take over, and where the value lies for the remainder of the season.
From Optimism to the Bottom Three
When Carrick returned to the club in January, he sparked a revival that led United to a third-place finish, accumulating the most points in the league over the final 17 games of the season.
The optimism was severely diminished after an embarrassing defeat to newly-promoted Hull City. What followed was a miserable run of form including home defeats to Manchester City, Brighton and Bournemouth.
Champions League defeats at Atletico Madrid and Como further highlighted their issues. The final nail in the coffin was a chaotic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday which left United with one win in their previous 11 matches in all competitions.
Sitting 18th in the Premier League and 17th in the Champions League standings, the club decided a change was unavoidable:
"Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach."
"Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.
"After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions."
"Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered."
Who Takes Over? The Next Manager Market
Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is "ready to accept an offer" to replace Carrick.
Bookmakers agree with the next Manchester United manager market a one horse race, Pochettino out in front at unbackable odds.
The 54-year-old currently manages the USA men's national team but reportedly has a release clause of roughly £7.5m that the Red Devils are willing to pay.
Season Finish Betting Markets - Where is the Value?
The managerial change throws the outright betting markets wide open. Here is how the landscape looks for United's domestic finish.
Premier League Relegation Betting Odds
It sounds unthinkable, but United are currently sitting in the drop zone, below all three promoted sides.
Bookmakers have slashed their relegation odds to anywhere between 11.00 and 21.00. Punters have been hammering this market, bet365 reporting that over 50% of all relegation bets placed following the Aston Villa draw were on Manchester United.
While the narrative is tempting, the arrival of Pochettino makes this a risky emotional bet rather than a value play.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Hull City | 1.73 |
| Coventry City | 1.73 |
| Manchester City | 1.91 |
| Crystal Palace | 2.40 |
| Ipswich Town | 2.75 |
| Sunderland | 3.50 |
| Fulham | 7.00 |
| Nottingham Forest | 9.00 |
| Newcastle | 11.00 |
| Manchester United | 19.00 |
| Everton | 26.00 |
| Leeds United | 30.00 |
| Tottenham | 34.00 |
| Bournemouth | 51.00 |
To Finish in the Bottom Half Betting Odds
Given their current position, a bottom half finish is no longer the longshot it was in August.
If Pochettino struggles to immediately patch a leaky defence and heal the dressing room rifts, climbing out of the bottom ten will be a season long assignment.
If you are skeptical about a new manager bounce fixing United's issues and think a tough winter fixture list could add more problems, this market offers another angle.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Hull City | 1.01 |
| Coventry City | 1.01 |
| Crystal Palace | 1.05 |
| Ipswich | 1.05 |
| Sunderland | 1.06 |
| Fulham | 1.12 |
| Nottingham Forest | 1.36 |
| Newcastle | 1.50 |
| Everton | 1.90 |
| Manchester United | 2.20 |
| Leeds | 2.20 |
| Tottenham | 2.75 |
| Bournemouth | 3.00 |
To Finish in the Top Half Betting Odds
Bookmakers still respect United's raw talent. Despite sitting in 18th spot, they are shorter than Everton who currently occupy 6th position.
Backing a top half finish is arguably the most logical play for those who believe Pochettino will stabilise the ship.
Carrick proved last season that this squad is capable of going on a winning run, and if so, the current odds could look generous in hindsight.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Bournemouth | 1.17 |
| Tottenham | 1.30 |
| Aston Villa | 1.33 |
| Brentford | 1.40 |
| Leeds | 1.57 |
| Manchester United | 1.67 |
| Man City | 1.73 |
| Everton | 1.73 |
| Newcastle | 2.80 |
| Nottingham Forest | 3.30 |
| Fulham | 3.50 |
| Sunderland | 7.00 |
| Ipswich | 12.00 |
| Crystal Palace | 19.00 |
| Coventry | 26.00 |
| Hull | 31.00 |
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