Manchester United have struggled to regain their former dominance since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, with the club going through several managerial appointments without finding a lasting solution to their problems.
Ferguson’s departure marked the end of an extraordinary 26-year reign at Old Trafford, during which he won 38 major trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns.
However, replacing one of football’s most successful managers proved a difficult task, with successive appointments experiencing different levels of success and failure.
From David Moyes, who was personally recommended by Ferguson, to Michael Carrick, who most recently occupied the position, here is a look at the managers who have taken charge of Manchester United since the legendary Scotsman stepped down.
1. David Moyes (2013–2014)
David Moyes became the first manager to succeed Ferguson in July 2013 after leaving Everton, where he had spent 11 years building a competitive Premier League side.
Recommended by Ferguson himself, Moyes was handed a six-year contract and was expected to continue the club’s successful tradition.
His reign began positively with a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield, followed by an impressive 4-1 Premier League victory against Swansea City.
However, performances quickly deteriorated as United struggled to defend their Premier League title.
The team finished seventh, missing out on Champions League qualification, while disappointing defeats against Liverpool, Manchester City and Everton increased pressure on the manager.
Moyes was dismissed in April 2014, just 10 months into his appointment, despite having been handed a long-term contract.
2. Louis van Gaal (2014–2016)
Following Moyes’ departure, former Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal was appointed in July 2014.
Van Gaal arrived with an impressive managerial reputation, having previously managed Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax.
His appointment was expected to restore discipline and tactical organisation to a Manchester United side that had lost its identity.
United finished fourth in his first Premier League campaign, securing a return to the Champions League.
However, his possession-based football frequently attracted criticism from supporters who wanted a more entertaining attacking approach.
Despite the criticism, Van Gaal delivered the FA Cup in May 2016 after United defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 following extra time at Wembley.
It was the club’s first major trophy since Ferguson’s retirement, but Van Gaal was dismissed two days after the triumph.
3. Jose Mourinho (2016–2018)
Manchester United turned to experienced Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho in May 2016, hoping his reputation for winning major trophies would restore the club’s competitiveness.
Mourinho immediately delivered silverware, winning the Community Shield, League Cup and UEFA Europa League during his first season.
The Europa League triumph was particularly important because it secured Champions League qualification.
His second campaign was even more encouraging in the Premier League, with United finishing second behind Manchester City in the 2017/18 season.
It remains one of the club’s best league finishes since Ferguson retired.
However, Mourinho’s third season was marked by inconsistent performances, disagreements with players and growing tensions within the club.
He was eventually dismissed in December 2018 after United struggled to compete with their rivals.
Despite his controversial departure, Mourinho remains the most decorated permanent manager of the post-Ferguson era, having won three trophies.
4. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2018–2021)
Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as caretaker manager in December 2018 following Mourinho’s dismissal.
His arrival immediately brought renewed optimism, with United producing an impressive run of victories, including a memorable Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Norwegian was subsequently appointed on a permanent basis in March 2019.
Under his leadership, United finished third in the Premier League in the 2019/20 season before improving to second place the following campaign.
He also helped develop a more attacking style of football and oversaw the emergence of several important players.
However, Solskjaer failed to win a major trophy during his tenure, with his closest opportunity coming in the 2021 Europa League final, where United lost to Villarreal on penalties.
A disappointing run of results eventually cost him his position in November 2021.
5. Ralf Rangnick (2021–2022)
Following Solskjaer’s departure, Manchester United appointed German football tactician Ralf Rangnick as interim manager in December 2021.
Rangnick was widely respected for his influence on modern pressing football and was expected to stabilise the team before taking up a consultancy role.
However, his time in charge proved difficult, with United struggling to maintain consistent performances.
The club finished sixth in the Premier League, missing out on Champions League qualification, while their European campaign also ended in disappointment.
Rangnick’s tenure was also characterised by his public criticism of the club’s internal structure and recruitment strategy.
He described the scale of the rebuilding required at Old Trafford as an open-heart surgery situation.
His interim spell ended in May 2022, and the anticipated consultancy arrangement did not materialise.
6. Erik ten Hag (2022–2024)
Manchester United appointed Dutch manager Erik ten Hag in April 2022, following his impressive work at Ajax.
Ten Hag was brought in to establish a clear playing identity, improve discipline and rebuild a team that had struggled under previous managers.
His first season produced encouraging results, with United finishing third in the Premier League and winning the League Cup in 2023.
The following season was more difficult, as injuries and inconsistent performances affected the team’s progress.
Nevertheless, Ten Hag delivered another major trophy by guiding United to a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the 2024 FA Cup final.
Despite the success, his league performances remained a major concern, with United finishing eighth in the Premier League that season.
He was eventually dismissed in October 2024 after a disappointing start to the 2024/25 campaign.
7. Ruben Amorim (2024–2026)
Following Ten Hag’s departure, Manchester United appointed Portuguese tactician Ruben Amorim in November 2024.
Amorim arrived from Sporting CP with a reputation for developing young players and building tactically organised teams.
His appointment generated considerable excitement, particularly because of his success in Portuguese football.
However, implementing his preferred three-man defensive system proved challenging, as United struggled to adapt to his tactical demands.
The club endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign, finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
Although Amorim was expected to lead a long-term rebuilding project, inconsistent results continued into the following season.
He eventually left Manchester United in January 2026, bringing another managerial experiment at Old Trafford to an end.
8. Michael Carrick (2026)
Former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick became the club’s manager in January 2026 after initially serving as caretaker following Solskjaer’s departure in November 2021.
During his first caretaker spell, Carrick oversaw three matches, recording two victories and one draw before leaving the coaching staff.
He returned to Old Trafford in January 2026 and initially made a strong impression, guiding United through an encouraging run of results.
His team eventually secured third place in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League, earning him a permanent contract.
However, his second spell failed to maintain the early momentum.
United struggled during the opening stages of the 2026/27 campaign, collecting just one victory from their first 10 Premier League matches and falling into the relegation zone.
Following an eight-match winless run, the club dismissed Carrick on November 12, 2026.
His departure means United have once again been forced to consider another managerial appointment, more than 13 years after Ferguson left the position.
Manchester United’s continuing managerial problem
The succession of managers since Ferguson’s retirement highlights the enormous challenge Manchester United have faced in restoring their former status.
Although Mourinho delivered the strongest trophy return among the permanent successors, Van Gaal, Solskjaer and Ten Hag also managed to win silverware during their respective spells.
However, none has been able to reproduce Ferguson’s sustained domestic and European dominance.
The repeated changes have also raised questions about the club’s recruitment strategy, football leadership and long-term direction.
For Manchester United, finding another manager may be the immediate priority, but establishing a stable football structure remains an equally important challenge if the club hopes to return to the top of English and European football.
