The race to become the next permanent Manchester United manager has taken a dramatic turn.
It had been rumoured that Oliver Glasner was the man to take over the permanent hot seat in the summer.
Glasner is leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the season as announced by the man himself earlier this month.
However, betting markets suggest that Glasner may have missed his window to take over at Old Trafford.
Despite being the heavy favourite just weeks ago, the Crystal Palace manager has seen his odds drift out to 6/1.
The shift comes amidst a backdrop of internal friction at Selhurst Park and a sensational run of form for United under interim boss Michael Carrick.
A run of form which has quickly seen Carrick become the fan favourite to land the job full-time.
Crystal Palace Form Slumps After Distractions
The primary catalyst for Glasner’s drifting odds is the recent downturn in form for the Eagles.
After a historic 2024/25 campaign that saw Palace lift the FA Cup, the current season has been a “stormy” affair.
The South Londoners are currently winless in their last seven Premier League matches, a run that has seen them slide down the table.
Critics point to a “crisis in possession” and an inability to see out games, with Palace dropping more points from winning positions than almost any other side in the division this term.
The tactical “sovereignty” Glasner once boasted appears to have been eroded by a lack of squad depth and a series of high-profile departures.
The ‘Thunderstorm’ Decision: Why Glasner is Quitting Palace
Speculation surrounding Glasner’s future reached a boiling point when the Austrian confirmed he would leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season.
The announcement followed a public outburst labelled a “thunderstorm” by the manager himself regarding the club’s decision to sell captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City just 24 hours before a match.
While he has since held “clear the air” talks with chairman Steve Parish, he remains 100% committed to walking away in May.
However, the timing of his announcement and the perceived friction with the board have reportedly given the Manchester United hierarchy pause, leading them to look closer to home for Ruben Amorim’s permanent successor.
Carrick Masterclass
While Glasner’s stock falls, Michael Carrick’s is at an all-time high.
Tasked with steadying the ship as interim manager, the former United midfielder has surpassed all expectations.
In his first two games back in the dugout, Carrick has secured back-to-back victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.
The latter being the first time anyone has beaten the Gunners at the Emirates this season.
Under Carrick, United have played with a “common sense” flair that was often missing under Amorim.
The rejuvenation of young stars like the injured Patrick Dorgu and the return of Kobbie Mainoo to the starting XI have transformed the atmosphere at Carrington.
Can United Afford Not to Appoint Carrick?
With Carrick now the 6/4 favourite in the next Manchester United manager odds, the Old Trafford board faces a familiar dilemma.
While club legends like Paul Scholes warn that the club might be “scarred” by the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer experience, the current results are impossible to ignore.
As it stands, Oliver Glasner is no longer the “heir apparent.”
If Carrick continues this trajectory through February with winnable fixtures against Fulham and West Ham the decision could already be made.
Leaving 6/1 outsider Glasner finding himself looking elsewhere for his “new challenge” this summer.
