Gareth Southgate early Man Utd next manager frontrunner as Michael Carrick decision obvious

Gareth Southgate features among the early favourites to take the now-vacant manager's job at Manchester United, despite recently saying he wishes to take a break.

Former Middlesbrough boss Southgate is believed to be liked by the hierarchy at Manchester United after his time in charge of England. They made the decision to sack Erik ten Hag on Monday are now looking for their next manager.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in interim charge at Old Trafford, with the club's statement of Ten Hag's departure confirming that they are now seeking a permanent head coach, rather than a long-term caretaker.

READ MORE: Middlesbrough legend Gareth Southgate reveals coaching return plans after England

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Southgate is third in the early betting markets, with Sky Bet pricing him at 5/1. Van Nistelrooy, who joined Ten Hag's backroom team this summer, is the current favourite, with Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez second-favourite at 3/1.

Though Southgate features high in the betting markets, he only recently expressed his desire to have an extended break from management after England. He said: "I won't coach in the next year, for sure. I'm certain of that. I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time. I'm fortunate that there are lots of opportunities presenting themselves."

Inevitably, Boro boss Michael Carrick features in the early bookies' lists, though his odds quickly drifted. Having started at just 7/1 to be next permanent Manchester United manager, Carrick is now 14/1 with Sky Bet, which puts him joint-seventh on their list, alongside Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna and Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

Carrick's positive work at the Riverside so far have led many to tip him to be a future Manchester United boss. But with his relative inexperience, and having only just signed a new three-year contract at Boro this summer, it feels highly unlikely that Old Trafford bosses will turn to the Boro boss this time around.