Michael Carrick is on the brink of losing his job as Manchester United manager after Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge left the club hovering just above the relegation zone. It was a third consecutive loss and extended United's winless run in all competitions to nine matches, the first time that has happened in 38 years.
After the game, Carrick insisted he expects to still be in charge for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Roma. However, with unrest reported in the dressing room, the United hierarchy may act sooner rather than later to prevent a full-scale relegation battle.
The Managers Ranked
Mirror Football has ranked every Manchester United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013, from worst to best.
7. Ruben Amorim (2024-2026) - Poor results, tactics that clearly weren't working, and fallouts with players and club chiefs marked Amorim's troubled reign.
6. David Moyes (2013-2014) - United were seventh when he was sacked shortly before the end of his only season in charge. Compared to the current turmoil, that looks pretty good, but compared to what had gone before under Sir Alex, the sack was inevitable.
Carrick's Bounce Fades
5. Michael Carrick (2026- ) - Carrick impressively led United back to the Champions League after inheriting the wreckage left by Ruben Amorim. However, it has proved to be nothing more than an extended new manager 'bounce.' It's surely a case of when, not if, he suffers the same fate as the other managers on this list.
4. Louis van Gaal (2014-2016) - Finishing fourth in his first season was a reasonable effort, but fifth during the miraculous Leicester season was a big disappointment. Won the FA Cup, but the decision to sack him had already been made.
Better With Time
3. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2018-2021) - Another spell that looks better with the passing of time. He was third in one season, securing Champions League football, and second in 2020/21, but couldn't land a trophy.
2. Erik ten Hag (2022-2024) - The start was hugely encouraging, with third place, 75 points and the Carabao Cup. He even survived clashing with Cristiano Ronaldo. But things fell apart in the second season, salvaged by a shock FA Cup final win over City, which landed him a new contract. That was ripped up a few months later following a torrid start to the 2024/25 campaign.
1. Jose Mourinho (2016-2018) - Mourinho's mixed spell has aged well. Winning the Europa League, and with it securing Champions League football, was a fine achievement. Throw in a League Cup and a second-placed finish behind Manchester City, and it looks a thoroughly respectable stint.
