Laurent Blanc backed to take over at Old Trafford

Laurent Blanc is favourite to take over at Manchester United after Jose Mourinho was sacked by the Old Trafford club on Tuesday morning.

Sky Bet initially installed Michael Carrick as their 1-3 favourite to be the next United manager - their rules on the market pay out on any caretaker who takes charge for ten games or more - but he drifted once it became clear an external candidate is likely to be appointed for the rest of the season.

Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane were among the early favourites for the job but money has come for former United centre-half Blanc.

The 53-year-old Frenchman, who has not managed since leaving Paris St-Germain by mutual consent in 2016, is odds-on with Sky Bet while Zidane is 6-1 and Pochettino is available at 7-1.

Mourinho had been the 15-8 favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave at the time of his dismissal.

A United statement said: "The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and wish him success in the future. A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new manager."

Mourinho had been quoted at 2-1 by Paddy Power on Monday to exit before the end of December.

United are sixth in the Premier League after their 3-1 defeat to leaders Liverpool on Sunday.