Ranking the Managers of Manchester United Since Ferguson

Manchester United has had a hard time keeping managers since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013. Eight permanent managers have taken charge during the Premier League years.

Ferguson had a fantastic run for 26 years at Old Trafford. Sadly, none of the managers after him have been able to reach his level of success, and many appointments ended badly.

A ranking from Planet Football on Thursday looked at how the eight permanent managers performed. It pointed out their achievements, failures, and overall impact on the club.

At the bottom of the list is Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim, who found it hard to set up his style of play and lead United to consistent results.

8. Ruben Amorim

Amorim is rated the worst of United’s eight permanent managers after a tough time at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese manager could not get his 3-4-3 formation to work with the players he had. United finished 15th in his first season, which was their lowest league position in 51 years.

Even after spending a lot on new players that summer, the results did not improve. His public criticism of the club’s leadership made it worse. He left with the worst win rate of any permanent United manager since Frank O’Farrell in 1972.

7. David Moyes

Moyes was named Ferguson’s successor in 2013 after a great run at Everton. But he struggled with the pressure of managing Manchester United.

His winning record was not too bad, but poor results against Chelsea, Manchester City, and West Bromwich Albion raised the heat. United also had a disappointing Champions League run, just getting past Olympiacos before being knocked out by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

Moyes was sacked in April 2014 after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League. He lasted only 10 months at Old Trafford even though he signed a six-year contract.

6. Michael Carrick

Carrick had a solid start as Manchester United’s manager, winning 12 of his first 17 games and leading the club to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification.

His early success got him a two-year contract in May 2026. But his first full season was tough. United could not keep up their form even after spending a lot in the transfer market.

Injuries, poor defending, and issues with new signings led to bad results. He was fired on November 12, 2026, after United won just three out of 15 matches this season. He ended his time in charge with 15 wins in 32 matches, giving him a 46.9 percent win rate.

5. Erik ten Hag

Dutch manager Ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford with a strong reputation after doing well at Ajax and other European teams.

He won two trophies while at United, including the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. His team played some great matches, including a memorable FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

But expensive transfers, inconsistent performances, and questions about his relationships with players hurt his image. The signing of Antony for £86m was one of the most criticized moves of his time. Despite winning trophies, Ten Hag was sacked in October 2024 after a poor start to the 2024/25 season.

4. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Former United striker Solskjaer brought fresh hope to Old Trafford after taking over from Jose Mourinho in December 2018.

His biggest achievement was lifting the team's spirit and improving their performances. Under him, United finished third and second in the Premier League in consecutive seasons and had memorable wins, like the comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

But he could not win any major trophies. United reached four semi-finals during his time but lost all of them, including the 2021 Europa League final against Villarreal. The return of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021 also caused tactical issues, and a humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool added to the pressure. He was let go in November 2021.

3. Louis van Gaal

Van Gaal took over in 2014 after Moyes was fired, bringing a wealth of experience from top European clubs like Ajax, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich.

He helped United return to the Champions League and won the 2016 FA Cup, the club’s first major trophy after Ferguson retired. However, his cautious style and focus on possession drew criticism from fans.

Even though he improved United’s league position and brought home silverware, he was dismissed in May 2016, just two days after winning the FA Cup.

2. Jose Mourinho

Mourinho had one of the most successful stints as United's manager after Ferguson, winning three trophies in 31 months.

He brought the Europa League, League Cup, and Community Shield in his first season, bringing silverware back to Old Trafford. He also led United to second place in the Premier League in the 2017/18 season, finishing behind Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

But his confrontational style caused problems in the dressing room. Mourinho had issues with players like Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw, and Anthony Martial, and his relationship with the club's management also soured. He was sacked in December 2018, leaving a divided dressing room behind.

1. Sir Alex Ferguson

Ferguson is still Manchester United’s greatest manager, turning the club into one of the biggest names in football during his 26 years in charge.

The Scottish manager won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two Champions League trophies, among many other awards. His 38 major trophies at Old Trafford set a high standard that other managers have found hard to meet.

Ferguson also developed several generations of great players, including the famous Class of ’92. He built teams that could compete for both local and European titles. His last Premier League title came in the 2012/13 season before he retired. Since he left, United has struggled to find a manager who can bring back the success and consistency of his time.