Zinedine Zidane favourite to replace Jose Mourinho at Manchester United
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is the favourite to replace Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
The 46-year-old finds himself at 6/4 to be the next permanent manager of the Red Devils, with pressure mounting on Mourinho.
His side were dumped out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle by Sky Bet Championship outfit Derby on Tuesday night, with Phil Jones missing the decisive penalty.
United sit seventh in the standings after six games, with 50% of those results being victories.
The Cup defeat saw Mourinho backed into 11/4 favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave their position.
Speculation surrounded the future of the current boss after successive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton, but his side responded with victories over Burnley and Watford.
They were held at home by top-flight newcomers Wolves in their last league outing, much to the frustration of certain sections of the Old Trafford crowd.
Who next?
Zidane remains the clear favourite and is the name wanted by many United fans. Current Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and former Chelsea man Antonio Conte are also towards the top-end of the list, but both seem unlikely at this stage.
Next permanent Manchester United manager (odds via Sky Bet)
- Zinedine Zidane - 6/4
- Mauricio Pochettino - 7/1
- Antonio Conte - 12/1
- Diego Simeone - 14/1
- Carlo Ancelotti - 16/1
- Luis Enrique - 16/1
- Michael Carrick - 16/1
- Ryan Giggs - 18/1
Falling out with Pogba?
Mourinho recently stripped midfielder Paul Pogba of the vice-captaincy at the club, but denied that there was a rift between the two.
Despite being rested for the third-round tie, the 25-year-old remained a hot topic as it was claimed in the build-up that Mourinho had told the World Cup winner that he would not captain United again in front of the squad.
Asked about those reports, Mourinho told Sky Sports: "The only truth is that I made the decision of Paul not to be the second captain any more but no fall-out, no problems at all.
"The same person that decides that Paul is not the second captain anymore is the same person who decides that Paul was the second captain. Myself. I am the manager, I can make these decisions.
"No fall-out at all, no problems at all, just one decision that I don't have to explain."
Another trophy-less season?
They finished second in the Premier League standings last season, but they ended empty-handed having also finished runners-up in the FA Cup.
They were knocked out of the Carabao Cup at the fifth round stage by second-tier Bristol City, while being eliminated by Sevilla in the Champions League round of 16.
United also kicked off their campaign with a defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.
Sky Bet have Mourinho's men at a huge 66/1 to win the Premier League in May, with a shorter 5/1 available on them lifting the FA Cup at Wembley.
20/1 is the price for United to win the Champions League, with eight other sides more fancied for European glory.
Odds correct at 0940 BST (26/09/18)
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