Manchester United 7/1 to win the 2026/27 Premier League after Michael Carrick announced as permanent manager

Manchester United have announced that Michael Carrick will lead the club forward as manager on a permanent basis.

The club revealed on Friday that Carrick had agreed a two-year deal following a successful interim spell that saw him lead the team to UEFA Champions League qualification.

United have also secured third place in the Premier League table, above the likes of Aston Villa and defending champions Liverpool - an achievement that would have seemed inconceivable just a few short months ago.

A public spat between Ruben Amorim and the United hierarchy following a 1-1 draw with Leeds in January ultimately brought the curtain down on the Portuguese's 14 months in charge at Old Trafford, and the club turned to Carrick on an interim basis until the end of the season.

The former England international wasted little time moving away from the strict adherence to the three-at-the-back system that Amorim had tried and failed to implement and brought academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo back into the fold after a period out in the cold.

His tweaks had an immediate impact as Mainoo quickly reasserted himself as one of the top young midfielders in the top flight, forming a symbiotic partnership with a resurgent Casemiro.

Carrick has also overseen a remarkable run for United captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes.

The 31-year-old has been at his playmaking best in recent months, with his assist in United's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday marking 20 for the campaign and seeing him draw level with Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry for the single-season record in the Premier League.

If Carrick is to push United on and mount a title charge in the coming campaign however, he must first successfully navigate what promises to be a challenging transfer window this summer.

United opted not Casemiro to offer new terms despite him playing his best football since moving to the Premier League, with the Brazilian's £350,000-per-week contract representing one of the last vestiges of the era of a laissez faire attitude to finances that club are firmly trying to move beyond.

The Brazilian has been a key component for United this season and one that will need to be replaced, particularly given that Manuel Ugarte looks destined to leave the club this summer after failing to make an impact in the two years since he arrived from PSG.

Elliot Anderson looks to be the ideal candidate, but Nottingham Forest are in a good bargaining position after securing their survival and United will face competition from Manchester City among others.

In addition, United will need to add depth in several areas as they prepare for a return to European football that will add at least another eight games to their calendar, potentially more if they progress beyond the league stage.

A midfielder turned manager delivering a first league title for his former club after an extended drought is a theme we have seen played out this season, and Carrick will be hoping to emulate Mikel Arteta's success to bring the title back to Old Trafford in 12 months time.

Manchester United's 2026/27 Premier League odds

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