Next Manchester United manager odds: Surprising name given huge boost

• Darren Fletcher is the early favourite to replace Ruben Amorim as Manchester United's next manager

• Oliver Glasner and Enzo Maresca are among the other contenders

• Gareth Southgate is also in the frame, with the ex-England manager's odds dropping dramatically over recent hours.

Gareth Southgate's odds of replacing Ruben Amorim to becoming Man United's next manager have been slashed by Ladbrokes.

Amorim's dismissal after 14 months in charge has sparked a flurry of managers' names to be suggested, with interim boss Darren Fletcher, who will take charge of Wednesday's Premier League game against Burnley, leading the way as the favourite.

Ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and Oliver Glasner are in the running, with Southgate and ex-Man United players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick rounding out the top six.

Amorim had managed to survive plenty of tough moments during his 14 months at Old Trafford so the timing of his dismissal at the start of 2026 has come as something of a surprise, even if the overall decision is not.

That is reflected in the market to replace him, with no odds-on favourite coming to the fore, like there was when Maresca was axed as Chelsea boss on New Year's Day, with Liam Rosenior now confirmed to be taking over.

But of all the options, the bookies consider Fletcher to be the likeliest candidate at 5/2 to take over permanently, ahead of Glasner.

The Austrian guided the Eagles to a memorable FA Cup triumph last season and has them battling for a European spot in the Premier League in 2025/26 but may be tempted by a switch to the Theatre of Dreams, should INEOS be unimpressed with Fletcher's interim spell in charge.

Solskjaer is next in line to land the role permanently after expressing his interest in helping out his former club. The Red Devil's former manager is priced at just 3/1.

Maresca is another strong contender following his surprise departure from Stamford Bridge. The Italian won the Club World Cup and Conference League with Chelsea last season but departed after a public disagreement with the Blues board, much like what appears to have decided Amorim's fate at United.

The only other managers with odds of 10/1 or less are Carrick and Southgate, the latter of whom has been linked with United in the past but is yet to return to management after leaving the England role in 2024.

Following Amorim's sacking on Monday morning, the bookies installed Southgate as a 12/1 shot to get the Man United job, but the former England boss is now just 8/1, a price he shares with Carrick - who was as big as 20/1 yesterday.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said:

This market is already chopping and changing, and the latest move suggests a sensational return to management could be on the cards for Gareth Southgate.

A collection of names are priced at 12/1 or longer for the permanent gig, including USA national team manager Pochettino, Fulham's Marco Silva and Xavi, formerly of Barcelona.

Slightly further back, Cesc Fàbregas is priced at 25/1, former United manager Jose Mourinho is among the names on 33/1, which also include Roberto De Zerbi.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said:

There are some small shoes to fill in the Old Trafford dugout at long last, and a whole host of huge names are in the running as far as the latest odds are concerned.

View the latest football odds here.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.