how many managers have manchester united had since alex ferguson
Rayan Khaled
Since Sir Alex Ferguson ( retired in May 2013, Manchester United ( have had 7 permanent managers and 11 different individuals overall across 12 separate managerial spells (including interim and caretaker bosses).
The club recently dismissed seventh permanent manager Michael Carrick following a poor start to the 2026–27 Premier League season that left the team in the relegation zone. Reports indicate United have reached a verbal agreement with U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino to become their eighth permanent manager since Ferguson’s departure.
Post-Ferguson Managerial Timeline
David Moyes ( (2013–2014). Appointed as Ferguson’s handpicked successor, he was sacked after 10 months in charge.
Ryan Giggs ( (2014). Served as interim player-manager for the final four matches of the 2013–14 season.
Louis van Gaal ( (2014–2016). Managed the club for two seasons, winning the FA Cup before being dismissed.
José Mourinho ( (2016–2018). Guided United to a second-place league finish and won the Europa League, EFL Cup, and Community Shield.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær ( (2018–2021). Initially appointed as caretaker manager in December 2018 before earning the permanent role in March 2019.
Michael Carrick ( (2021). Served a brief three-game spell as caretaker manager following Solskjær’s exit.
Ralf Rangnick ( (2021–2022). Appointed as interim manager through the end of the 2021–22 campaign.
Erik ten Hag ( (2022–2024). Won the EFL Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024 before being sacked in October 2024.
Ruud van Nistelrooy ( (2024). Took over as caretaker manager for four games prior to Ruben Amorim’s arrival.
Ruben Amorim ( (2024–2026). Served as head coach for 14 months before being dismissed in January 2026.
Darren Fletcher ( (2026). Stepped in as temporary interim manager following Amorim’s departure.
Michael Carrick ( (2026). Returned in January 2026 as interim boss, earned a permanent two-year contract in May after finishing third, and was sacked in November 2026.
(Note: While 11 men have taken charge, Michael Carrick ( accounts for two separate spells—first as a caretaker in 2021 and later as interim/permanent head coach in 2026.)