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List of Manchester United managers since Alex Ferguson retired

Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy celebrates after their Carabao Cup Round of 16 match against Leicester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain on October 30, 2024.


Photo credit: Jason Cairnduff | Reuters

What you need to know:

  • Former Dutch international Van Nistelrooy, who previously managed PSV Eindhoven, joined United as an assistant coach in July 2024.
  • He was made interim boss after Ten Hag was sacked.

Manchester

Manchester United appointed Portuguese Ruben Amorim as head coach on Friday. Amorim is the club's sixth permanent boss since Alex Ferguson retired after guiding them to their last league title in 2013.

Following is a list of permanent and interim managers who have taken charge at United following Ferguson's retirement:

David Moyes

In charge: July 1, 2013-April 22, 2014

Matches: 51

Win-Draw-Loss: 27-9-15

Trophies won: 1 (Community Shield)

Moyes was chosen to succeed Ferguson after 11 years at Everton but found it hard to fill his fellow Scotsman's shoes.

United struggled with inconsistency in the defence of their title, finishing seventh in the Premier League that season, with Moyes dismissed 10 months after his arrival.

Ryan Giggs (caretaker)

In charge: April 22, 2014-May 11, 2014

Matches: 4

Win-Draw-Loss: 2-1-1

Trophies won: 0

Former midfielder Giggs, who holds the United appearance record of 963, had a short spell as caretaker after Moyes left.

It was the first major coaching assignment for Giggs, who remained at the club as an assistant coach till 2016 before managing Wales for two years from 2018-2020.

Louis van Gaal

In charge: July 16, 2014-May 23, 2016

Matches: 103

Win-Draw-Loss: 54-25-24

Trophies won: 1 (FA Cup)

Van Gaal arrived at United as one of the most respected managers of his generation, with successful spells at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Ajax Amsterdam and the Netherlands national team in a period spanning over two decades.

United improved their performances in the league under the Dutchman, finishing fourth in 2014-15. But Van Gaal's possession-heavy playing style was criticised throughout his stay and he was fired despite winning the FA Cup in 2015-16.

Jose Mourinho

In charge: May 27, 2016-Dec. 18, 2018

Matches: 144

Win-Draw-Loss: 84-32-28

Trophies won: 3 (Europa League, League Cup, Community Shield)

Mourinho's arrival reflected United's ambition and his tenure got off to an optimistic start with the club winning the League Cup and Europa League in his first campaign followed by a second-place finish in the league the next season.

Despite spending nearly 400 million pounds ($519.08 million) on players, a drop in performances during the 2018-19 campaign led to the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager's dismissal when United were 19 points behind the league leaders.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

In charge: Dec. 19, 2018 (On interim basis, made permanent in March 2019) - Nov. 21, 2021

Matches: 168

Win-Draw-Loss: 91-37-40

Trophies won: 0

Former United forward Solskjaer started his coaching career at United after hanging up his boots, managing the reserve side from 2008-2011. He managed Cardiff City and Norwegian club Molde before being appointed United interim manager.

Solskjaer won 14 of his 19 matches before being made permanent boss, but inconsistency plagued United for the rest of his stay. The Norwegian was dismissed after a string of embarrassing losses to Liverpool, Manchester City and Watford.

Michael Carrick (caretaker)

In charge: Nov. 21, 2021-Dec. 2, 2021

Matches: 3

Win-Draw-Loss: 2-1-0

Trophies won: 0

Former United midfielder Michael Carrick was part of the club's coaching staff when appointed caretaker manager for less than two weeks, marking the start of his managerial career.

Carrick took over as Middlesbrough boss in 2022, where he remains in charge.

Ralf Rangnick (interim)

In charge: Dec. 3, 2021-May 22, 2022

Matches: 29

Win-Draw-Loss: 11-10-8

Trophies won: 0

Former VfB Stuttgart, RB Leipzig and Schalke 04 manager Ralf Rangnick attempted to steady the ship during a difficult season as United's interim manager, with underwhelming results.

They finished sixth in the league and exited the Champions League in the last 16. He left at the end of the 2021-22 season.

Erik ten Hag

In charge: May 23, 2022-Oct. 28, 2024

Matches: 128

Win-Draw-Loss: 70-23-35

Trophies won: 2 (FA Cup, League Cup)

Ten Hag arrived at United following a successful spell at Ajax but, despite winning the League Cup and securing a top-four finish in the league in his first season, his tenure soon took a downward turn.

United finished eighth in 2023-24 but the Dutchman was given a second chance to right the ship after winning the FA Cup. However, they were sitting 14th after nine matches in October 2024 when Ten Hag was fired.

Ruud van Nistelrooy (interim)

In Charge: Oct. 28, 2024 - Nov. 10, 2024

Matches: 1

Win-Draw-Loss: 1-0-0

Trophies won: 0

Former Dutch international Van Nistelrooy, who previously managed PSV Eindhoven, joined United as an assistant coach in July 2024. He was made interim boss after Ten Hag was sacked.

Van Nistelrooy, who won his first match in charge when United beat Leicester City in the League Cup on Wednesday, said he wants to remain part of the management team under Amorim.