Manchester United have gone on a spree of hiring and sacking managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, but Nicky Butt is convinced one of those sent their marching orders should have been given more time at Old Trafford.
There have been 11 managers, both short-term and permanent, since Sir Alex Ferguson called time on his 26-year reign at Manchester United.
Michael Carrick was appointed head coach after returning to the club in January, shortly after Ruben Amorim was sacked following United’s 1-1 draw against Leeds.
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Club veteran Darren Fletcher stood in temporarily for two matches until the deal for Carrick was agreed and signed, but the former Scotland international returned to his role as U18 head coach rather than become part of the first-team coaching staff.
Manchester United managers since Sir Alex Ferguson:
- David Moyes (July 1, 2013 – April 22, 2014)
- Ryan Giggs (caretaker, April 22, 2014 – May 11, 2014)
- Louis van Gaal (July 16, 2014 – May 23, 2016)
- Jose Mourinho (May 27, 2016 – December 18, 2018)
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (December 19, 2018 – November 21, 2021)
- Michael Carrick (November 21, 2021 – December 2, 2021)
- Ralf Rangnick (December 3, 2021 – May 22, 2022)
- Erik ten Hag (May 23, 2022 – October 28, 2024)
- Ruud van Nistelrooy (October 28, 2024 – November 10, 2024)
- Ruben Amorim (November 10, 2024 – January 5, 2026)
- Michael Carrick (January 13, 2026 – until the end of the season)
Only time will tell if Carrick can be a success this season by securing Champions League qualification. If he does that, the former midfield ace should be in contention for the head coach role beyond the 2025/26 campaign.
Nicky Butt shares David Moyes defence after Man Utd spell
Moyes was handed a six-year contract when he was appointed United manager in the summer of 2013, on the back of a recommendation from Ferguson.
It was never going to be an easy task to replace Ferguson, the greatest manager of all-time, but Moyes arrived at Old Trafford after more than a decade at Everton, where he operated well on a limited budget.
United won the Community Shield, but their form quickly dipped to a point where the Red Devils suffered their worst start to a season since 1989.
The fans remained supportive of Moyes throughout his reign as the Stretford End booed a plane banner that called for his sacking.
Moyes was sent packing after watching United lose 2-0 against his former club Everton on April 20. The result meant United would squander their Champions League chances for the first time since 1995/96.
Although Moyes has gone on to manage several Premier League clubs since then, and is now back in charge of Everton, he left United having won 27 of his 51 games in charge.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Good, The Bad & The Football, former United midfielder Nicky Butt argued that Moyes should never have been sacked by United.
“The same at United,” Butt said.
“I don’t think he (Moyes) should have got sacked at United.
“No. He didn’t get enough time. He didn’t get enough time.
“He should have got more time. And also the only mistake I think he made was he didn’t have anyone. Someone should have been there for him, someone like Mike Phelan or someone.”
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Butt is forgetting that Moyes had Phil Neville as part of his coaching staff.
David Moyes’ unwanted records at Man Utd
Moyes’ 10-month tenure at Old Trafford is often remembered as a record-breaking season for all the wrong reasons.
For the first time in the Premier League era, both Man City and Liverpool beat United home and away in the same season.
Newcastle recorded their first win at Old Trafford since 1978, and United finished seventh in the league.
It will also be remembered for United’s 2-2 draw against Fulham when Moyes’ side attempted 81 crosses. It remains a Premier League record.
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