Ruben Amorim has somehow managed to contrive a scenario where he leaves Manchester United with reputation intact despite quite possibly being their worst manager ever. It’s a neat trick for sure, almost as neat as his penchant for turning corners that never led anywhere other than another blind alley or cul-de-sac.

But enough of Amorim. He, like so many other poor hapless souls, is now part of Manchester United’s past. Who is their future? Who is the next manager for the impossible job? The one who this time will definitely be the man to return them to the promised land and then not in fact do that?

According to the latest – and at this point ever-changing – prices over at oddschecker.com, it’s one of these guys. Gentlemen, the very best of luck to you.

10) Eddie Howe

Roy Keane’s pick for the job, but Howe insists he’s happy at Newcastle for now. And why wouldn’t he be? He’s well insulated at St James’ Park having lobbied for sporting director Ross Wilson to replace Paul Mitchell. And Jason Tindall’s ego might literally explode in the Old Trafford spotlight.

9) Frank Lampard

This will never happen, but could you imagine if it did…

8) Ruud van Nistelrooy

Only at Manchester United would we get a former striker last seen being terrible at Leicester City on the same list as the actual reigning Champions League-winning manager…

7) Luis Enrique

Emerging news that the PSG coach wants to leave this summer for a new challenge catapulted him into the running for the Manchester United job. Now this would be a coup. Which means it’s probably impossible. Can you imagine Enrique having Jason Wilcox as his line manager? No, us neither.

6) Gareth Southgate

Very strongly linked with the Manchester United job last summer after somehow taking England to another European final. He would not be a popular appointment, but the good news for United fans is that it won’t happen.

Southgate has been pretty clear about feeling mighty comfortable about never taking another managerial job. That hasn’t stopped him being described as a “master of manipulation” and being tipped for the big job, mind.

5) Oliver Glasner

The Crystal Palace boss is primed for an upwards move, with his contract up and the end of the season and the Eagles taken seemingly as far as he can. But Glasner plays three at the back and Amorim didn’t die for this.

4) Andoni Iraola

Iraola at Bournemouth finds himself in a similar situation to Glasner at Palace. But the Cherries’ recent rotten form might dissuade United from taking Jamie Redknapp’s advice.

3) Darren Fletcher

The former Man United midfielder has been named interim bossand that’s always significant. One, because you can never entirely rule out the possibility of him going Full Solskjaer and getting the job on a full-time basis anyway, but as we noted when considering Michael Carrick’s appeal also because as far as the bookies are concerned if he takes charge of 10 games he’ll be settled as a winner regardless of whether he actually gets the full-time gig or not.

The likelihood, though, of getting 10 games seems more remote after drawing and losing his first two.

2) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Has reportedly thrown his hat into the ring for a second stint, but only as an interim until the end of the season. United could do worse. So could we. A lot worse. Frankly, we are giddy about this. And it looks very much on.

1) Michael Carrick

Absolutely everything about Michael Carrick suggests he should be a very good football manager indeed. A thoughtful player – most notably of course for Man United themselves, which always helps – and now a thoughtful pundit. Unfortunately the bit in between where he was actually a football manager was less good.

We remain powerfully unconvinced that impeccable Knows The Club credentials could override everything else. It would be a spectacular gamble. But we must also consider the possibility that United bring him in as a ship-steadying interim to get them through to the summer; if that happens and he takes charge of 10 games then he’ll be the ‘winner’ in the eyes of the bookies.