Chaos at Manchester United Since SAF

A look at Manchester United’s managerial appointments since Sir Alex Ferguson, what worked and what didn’t, and the recurring problems around recruitment, dressing-room standards and constantly changing direction.

What chaos we have witnessed since Sir Alex Ferguson (SAF) retired from Manchester United.

David Moyes was appointed as SAF's chosen successor, but that didn't make him the right successor. He had done a good job at Everton but had never managed at the highest level of European football.

He inherited a championship-winning team but seemed intent on dismantling too much of what had made it successful. The Jagielka defensive video incident illustrates the disconnect between his approach and the experience of the players he inherited.

LVG was a potentially excellent appointment that never worked. He had an outstanding managerial pedigree, having won major trophies across several countries and had taken the Netherlands to a World Cup semi-final.

He brought discipline, structure and a philosophy, but the football was frequently dreadful to watch and he struggled to get the best out of some very talented players.

He didn't get the players he asked for and was sacked immediately after winning the FA Cup. He had the credentials to succeed but never established the right relationship between his philosophy, players and club.

José understood the problem. He won the Europa League and the League Cup, and finished second.

He wanted experienced players, and became increasingly frustrated with recruitment and the club's structure. His treatment of certain players and his increasingly confrontational public behaviour didn't help, although it doesn't mean he was wrong.

The most accomplished manager appointed since SAF, but ultimately unable to reconcile his demands with the club's ambitions and structure.

Ole: initially an awesome impact, attacking football and a connection between the players and supporters. Some great games, particularly against PSG, City and other big opponents.

However, he lacked the skill and experience to sustain it, never got the players he wanted and also questioned the squad's mentality. He finished second in 2020/21 and reached a Europa League final, but ultimately failed.

Ralf told it how it is. Came with an understanding of modern football structures and the importance of building a sustainable football operation. He identified structural problems, recruitment problems and a squad that needed significant rebuilding, suggesting open heart surgery was needed. He was ignored and effectively sidelined, his interim role ended, and the club moved on.

ETH started well but also fell off a cliff. His first season was encouraging with the League Cup and a third place finish. Tried to bring discipline with limited success. He says he didn't get the players he wanted, but we also bought badly from the Dutch league. He was a promising appointment that became increasingly difficult to defend.

RA arrived with a very specific footballing philosophy and he wanted to implement his system regardless of the players available. His commitment to his principles was admirable, but his unwillingness to adapt became a significant weakness.

He was excessively open in press conferences, and results were awful; games were hard to watch. Fair play, he did attempt to address the culture and remove the problem players, but he put his philosophy ahead of the practical realities of the squad. Wilcox is at fault here too, sticking his nose in and telling RA how to play.

Carrick: initially awesome impact. He lifted the atmosphere, improved performances and secured Champions League qualification. However, results sometimes disguised underlying performance issues and confusion around style. He was never qualified for the job, a feel-good appointment that fell apart.

Throughout this, there have been some recurring issues.

1. Every new manager has effectively been allowed to start again - new tactics, new recruitment priorities, new playing styles and new expectations.

2. Recruitment has been awful. Too many signings have been made to satisfy an immediate managerial requirement rather than build a balanced, sustainable squad.

3. Poor standards in the dressing room, called out by several managers, but never properly addressed.

4. Linked to the first point, we constantly change direction. We appoint a manager, give him a particular mandate, recruit players to support that mandate and then sack him. The next manager arrives and wants something completely different. Rinse and repeat.

Do we really see anything changing?

Written by AJH November 13 2026 12:25:39