Maguire: 'Rubin's a Genius, Blame Us Lads' – Plus the Hot Odds on United's Next Gaffer

Picture this: you're nursing a pint, and Harry Maguire slides into the booth with some proper Old Trafford tea. The United skipper's been chatting to The Guardian, and he's got nothing but love for ex-boss Ruben Amorim – despite the Portuguese tactician's nightmare stint at the Theatre of Dreams.

Amorim's 14 months in charge? Absolute chaos. Last season, the Red Devils limped to 15th in the Premier League, then got tonked in the Europa League final by a Tottenham side scraping by two spots below them. This term kicked off with a proper embarrassment – chucked out of the Carabao Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town. It wrapped with Amorim firing shots at the recruitment crew. Ouch.

No Hard Feelings for Amorim – It's On the Players

But Maguire? He's all class. "I really like Ruben, he's got great ideas," the centre-back insists. Those ideas – that stubborn 3-4-2-1 which worked wonders at Sporting CP – just didn't gel with United's lot. "It just didn't click," Maguire admits, but he's quick to point the finger inwards: "Us players have got to take a lot of responsibility."

He even reckons Amorim deserves credit for pointing the squad in a better direction. Cheeky, given the mess. Still, the England international's backing his old gaffer to bounce back big time: "He'll have an amazing career and win many, many matches at his next club." Fair play, Harry – loyalty's a rare beast these days.

Carrick's Magic Touch and the Formation Fix

Fast forward, and Michael Carrick's interim spell has United dreaming of Champions League footy again. The switch to a trusty 4-2-3-1? Game-changer. "The results before weren't good enough," Maguire concedes. "It [the four-back system] has had a part to play."

"Great transition," he adds, bigging up Carrick and his staff for keeping it smooth. Maguire's all-in on his mate staying: "Finish strong, then let him throw his hat in for the full gig." With the process kicking off proper-like, who knows? As reported by The Football Faithful on OneFootball, Carrick's odds are steaming in.

Big Summer Brews – Transfers, Deals, and Gaffer Gossip

Whoever's barking orders come August will inherit a squad crying out for reinforcements. "Big summer," Maguire predicts. "We need bodies in, improvements across the board." The hierarchy – Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox – better nail recruitment, eh?

Maguire himself? Looking solid as United's elder statesman. Rumours of a new deal swirl, and he's coy: "Should get sorted pretty soon." Wink wink.

But the real pub banter? Who's next in the hot seat? Oddschecker has Carrick favourite after his belter start, but rivals lurk:

• 9/1 Unai Emery: Villa wizard eyeing Big Six glory?

• 9/1 Marco Silva: Fulham's forever man – or tempted?

• 6/1 Mauricio Pochettino: Free agent post-World Cup flop?

• 6/1 Andoni Iraola: Bournemouth's hot streak merchant.

• 6/1 Gareth Southgate: He says no, but...

• 5/1 Roberto Martinez: Internal chats, fans?

• 5/1 Luis Enrique: PSG exit for Old Trafford?

• 4/1 Roberto De Zerbi: Spurs bound, maybe?

• 3/1 Oliver Glasner: Palace wobbles cooling the hype.

Carrick's in clamour territory, per Stretty News on OneFootball. Evening Standard via OneFootball flags the drama. United fans, stock up on pies – it's gonna be a wild ride.

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