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The Managers

Every man who led Manchester United into battle — their records, their legacies, their stories.

Full History

All Managers

Manchester United have been led by 22 permanent managers since the club's formation in 1878.

1986

2013
26 years · 1,500 games

Sir Alex Ferguson

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland

The greatest manager in football history. Ferguson arrived at a club in crisis and built three separate dynasties over 26 extraordinary years, winning 38 trophies. His man-management, tactical evolution, and relentless hunger for success set an unimaginable standard. He famously said he wanted to knock Liverpool off their perch. He did exactly that.

13× Premier League 2× Champions League 5× FA Cup 4× League Cup 1× FIFA Club World Cup 38 Trophies Total
1945

1969
24 years · 1,141 games

Sir Matt Busby

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland

The architect of modern Manchester United. Busby built three legendary teams: the post-war side, the Busby Babes of the 1950s — tragically cut down at Munich — and the 1968 European Cup winners featuring Best, Law and Charlton. He rebuilt the club from almost nothing, twice. A titan of football management.

5× First Division 1× European Cup 2× FA Cup 13 Trophies Total
2016–2018 144 games

José Mourinho

🇵🇹 Portugal

Delivered three trophies in his debut season — the League Cup, FA Community Shield, and Europa League — but never found a Premier League rhythm. Left with United in 6th place in December 2018.

Europa League League Cup Community Shield
2014–2016 103 games

Louis van Gaal

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Guided United back to Champions League football and won the FA Cup in 2016 — his final act as manager before being dismissed. His direct, disciplined style divided opinion but produced results.

FA Cup 2016
2013–2014 51 games

David Moyes

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland

Handpicked by Ferguson as his successor, but the transition proved enormously difficult. United finished 7th in Moyes' only full season and he was dismissed after 10 months. An unenviable task.

No Major Trophies
1972–1977 229 games

Tommy Docherty

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland

The Doc oversaw United's relegation to Division Two in 1974 but bounced back immediately, winning promotion and then reaching Wembley. Won the 1977 FA Cup before his personal life led to his departure.

FA Cup 1977 Division Two Champions 1975
1981–1986 292 games

Ron Atkinson

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England

Big Ron brought attacking flair to Old Trafford, signing Bryan Robson and winning two FA Cups. His teams were entertaining but the league title always eluded him, and he was replaced by Ferguson in 1986.

FA Cup 1983 FA Cup 1985
1969–1970 58 games

Wilf McGuinness

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England

The first man tasked with the impossible job of following Busby. A former United player, McGuinness struggled with authority over his old teammates and was replaced after 18 months when results faltered.

No Major Trophies
1971–1972 66 games

Frank O'Farrell

🇮🇪 Ireland

Started well with United top of the table at Christmas 1971, but a catastrophic second half of the season — largely due to a declining George Best — led to his dismissal. United finished 8th.

No Major Trophies
1977–1981 201 games

Dave Sexton

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England

A meticulous, technical coach who reached the FA Cup final in 1979, losing to Arsenal in a classic. United finished second in the league in 1980, but were never quite consistent enough. Released after 7 wins from 8 games to close the season — a harsh call.

No Major Trophies
2021–2022 29 games (Interim)

Ralf Rangnick

🇩🇪 Germany

Brought in as interim following the dismissal of Solskjær, Rangnick's high-pressing style showed glimpses but never fully translated. Finished 6th and transitioned to an advisory role before Erik ten Hag took charge.

No Major Trophies
2022

2024
130 games

Erik ten Hag

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Arrived from Ajax with high expectations and delivered in his debut season — winning the League Cup and finishing 3rd. Brought winning habits back to Old Trafford, though results eventually proved inconsistent and he was dismissed in October 2024.

League Cup 2023 FA Cup 2024
2024

Present
Current Manager

Rúben Amorim

🇵🇹 Portugal

The current Manchester United manager. Arrived from Sporting CP in November 2024 as one of Europe's most exciting young coaches. Known for his disciplined 3-4-3 system, Amorim is now tasked with rebuilding United and restoring the club to European elite level.

Current Manager 3-4-3 System