Manchester United Premier League Odds: Carrick fully deserved the job

The World Cup is just over a week away but we're already starting to look ahead to the next Premier League season. We're delighted to have ex-England footballer John Barnes on board as our official World Cup Ambassador throughout the tournament and we've taken the opportunity to ask him about the ongoings at Old Trafford.

Here are John Barnes thoughts on the appointment of Michael Carrick as permanent manager, the form of star midfielder Bruno Fernandes, as well as the Manchester United Premier League Odds for 2026/27...

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New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Premier League Odds

We spoke to Barnes recently after the end of the Premier League season, where the Red Devils saw a huge upturn in form following the sacking of Portuguese Ruben Amorim and the interim appointment of ex-player Michael Carrick.

The former Middlesbrough boss was nominated for the Premier League Manager of the Season, after taking the team from seventh spot on his appointment in January, to the heights of third place and a Champions League berth for next season.

Just prior to the interview, it was announced that Carrick had been appointed as permanent manager at Old Trafford and we asked Barnes if he felt the appointment was well deserved, if it was the best appointment they could have made and if he had any reservations about Carrick in the role long-term.

“I don’t think you’re going to get a huge name manager to go to Manchester United in terms of the way they are now. I think it’s a great appointment. Long-term, the players seem to like him which could be a worrying sign as you don’t want the players to like you too much, but I don’t think they could have really made a better appointment than him.

I believe that previous managers should have got more of an opportunity, but I believe Michael will get more time than some of them, even if it doesn’t go as well as people expect early on. From that point of view, it’s a good decision.”

John Barnes

We also asked Barnes about the form of United talisman Bruno Fernandes, who recently picked up the Football Writers and Premier League Player of the Season awards.

Was he also deserving of the PFA Player of the Year award? There has been some debate that the Red Devils rely too heavily on the Portuguese midfielder...

“I think a player from a club who’s either won or challenged to win the Premier League should be winning PFA Player of the Year. For example, Georgi Kinkladze at Manchester City was a fantastic player, but he played in a team that got relegated. I would have thought Declan Rice for this year, but Bruno Fernandes has done really well for Manchester United.

I’m not interested in individual awards, even when I won it myself because it’s more about the team. The greatest pleasure I ever got for it was that six of my teammates were in the Team of the Year because they are the ones that help you.”

John Barnes