Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, Manchester United have failed to achieve the former success they had under the legendary Scottish coach.
In his time at the club, Ferguson won an abundance of silverware. This included, 13 Premier League titles, two European cups, five FA cups and four League cup’s.
By the time Ferguson left, he was widely regarded as Manchester United’s greatest ever manager.
Thus, living up to the reputation of such a successful manager was an almost impossible task. Fellow Scotsman David Moyes was the first in-line to have to deal with this.
David Moyes
David Moyes was appointed at Manchester United in May 2013 on a 6 year deal. The Scotsman had managed Everton for nine years significantly rebuilding the club. Ferguson particularly recommended Moyes to succeed him.
2013/14
In this season, Manchester United collapsed. After such high aspirations, Moyes failed to light up Old Trafford. In the league, United finished in a humiliating seventh.
United did win the Community Shield though.
This meant that United failed to qualify for Champions League, nor Europa League. In Europe, Moyes men were knocked out in the quarter finals by Bayern Munich 4-2 on aggregate.
The domestic cups didn’t flatter either. In the League cup, United were knocked out in the semi finals on penalties to Sunderland.
In the FA cup, United faced a shock third round defeat to Swansea. Therefore, Moyes failed to win any silverware in the 2013/14 season.
Consequently, the 2013/14 season was a shocking season for United.
As a result of the poor performances, the former Everton manager was sacked in April of 2014, just 10 months into his six year contract.
Subsequently, club legend Ryan Giggs was instated as an interim until United found a permanent manager. This permanent manager became Louis Van Gaal.
Overall – 2/10
Louis van Gaal
The Dutch coach was hired in May 2014. He arrived at the club with a reputation for winning trophies. Having already won a Champions League title with Ajax and several league titles with clubs like Bayern Munich and Barcelona, aspirations were high for the Dutch manager.
2014/15
After the failures of the season before, Louis van Gaal brought stability. In the premier league, the former Ajax manager led United to 4th place.
This secured Champions League football which was vital to United’s finances and the Glazer’s happiness with the manager.
In the FA cup, United made it to the sixth round beating Yeovil, Cambridge United and Preston North End. However, in the sixth round they lost to Arsenal.
In the League cup, United suffered utter humiliation at the hands of MK Dons. A 4-0 drubbing saw United knocked out in their opening round.
Therefore, the 2014/15 season was disappointing due to the lack of silverware, but far better than the season before.
Overall 4/10
2015/16
With the Dutch coach able to bring in players of his likening like Antony Martial, Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sergio Romero, expectations were higher for his second season.
However, in the Premier League, United regressed.
The Red Devils finished fifth failing to qualify for the Champions League.
In Europe, despite being drawn in a winnable group against Wolfsburg, PSV Eindhoven and CSKA Moscow, United failed to get out of the group and were subsequently demoted to the Europa League after finishing third.
Ultimately, United were knocked out by Liverpool in the round of 16.
In the League cup, United were knocked out in the fourth round on penalties by Middlesborough. However, the FA Cup is where United did succeed.
Having beaten sides like West Ham and Everton, United faced Crystal Palace in the final. Van Gaal’s men were able to beat the Eagles 2-1 after extra time, and bring silverware back to Old Trafford.
Therefore, the 2015/16 season was better than in 2014/15, but still not great for United’s standards.
Despite this triumph, Van Gaal was sacked just days later for failing to qualify for the Champions League.
As a result, former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was hired.
Overall – 6/10
Jose Mourinho
Dubbed as the ‘special one,’ Jose Mourinho was a winner wherever he went. The Portuguese was famous for winning the Champions League with Porto and also Inter Milan. In addition, Mourinho won countless trophies including league titles with clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea and Inter. Therefore, after three years of failure at United, Mourinho was deemed the right choice due to his trophy winning reputation.
2016/17
In Mourinho’s first season, he brought success.
In the community shield, United beat Leicester 2-1 to pick up Mourinho’s first trophy.
In the Premier League, United finished sixth. This was majorly disappointing.
However, in the Europa League, United beat Ajax in the final to win the cup. This secured United Champions League football.
Furthermore, United also won the League Cup after beating Southampton in the final.
Subsequently, this meant Mourinho led United to three trophies in his first season as manager.
In the FA Cup though, United lost in the Quarter finals to Chelsea.
Ultimately, the 2016/17 season was a successful season.
Overall – 8/10
Jose Mourinho after winning the League Cup with Manchester United in 2017. pic.twitter.com/JKjQxjvEHc
— Sky Sports Retro (@SkySportsRetro) February 27, 2023
2017/18
After three trophies the season prior, the pressure was on to succeed in the bigger competitions.
In the league, United finished second, 19 points off leaders Manchester City. This was a step closer, but still significantly behind their local rivals.
In the Champions League, United suffered a damaging knockout to Sevilla in the round of 16.
Likewise, in the League Cup, United disappointed, after being knocked out in the fifth round by Bristol City.
The FA cup provided an opportunity to turn the season around. Mourinho’s men came very close to doing this. However, after reaching the final, United lost 1-0 to Chelsea.
Therefore, despite finishing second in the league, this was a disappointing season for Mourinho and United, who hoped of winning major trophies.
Overall – 5/10
2018/19
This was the final blow for Mourinho’s time at United.
After poor form in the league and an embarrassing 3-1 defeat to Liverpool, Mourinho was sacked with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replacing him as interim coach.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Unlike the previous managers, Solskjaer had very little pre-established experience in managing. The Norwegian had led Molde to two league titles, but nothing compared to the wealth of titles his predecessor had.
Before Solskjaer’s arrival, United lost in the third round to Derby County on penalties.
After Mourinho’s sacking, Solskjaer revitalised Old Trafford. As a result, United began winning again. However, despite this, United still finished sixth in the league.
In the Champions League, Solskjaer led United to a famous turnaround against PSG in Paris. However, in the quarter finals they were convincingly knocked out by Barcelona.
The FA cup didn’t bear any fruit either. In the quarter finals, United lost 2-1 to Wolves.
Therefore, after a chaotic season, despite Solskjaer’s appointment, it was still ultimately disappointing as United went trophyless again, and failed to qualify for the Champions League
Overall – 4/10
2019/20
After spending over £150m in the summer bringing in players like Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, fans expected an improvement on the season prior.
In the league, United finished third. This was significantly better than the previous season.
However, in the League and FA Cup, United failed to win any silverware.
Over two legs, Manchester City knocked Solskjaer’s men out of the semi final of the League cup.
Then, in the FA Cup, Chelsea knocked United out in the quarter finals.
The defining game of the season came in the Europa League semi finals.
Despite playing well throughout the game, Solskjaer’s men were knocked out by Sevilla.
Therefore, despite progress in the league, United went another year trophyless.
Overall – 5/10
2020/21
After well over a year at the club, expectations ramped up on Solskjaer.
However, he failed to deliver.
In the Premier League, United improved slightly, finishing second. However, this was still 12 points behind rivals Manchester City.
The FA cup led to an underwhelming early quarter final exit to Leicester.
Similarly to the year before, United lost 2-0 in the League cup semi finals to Manchester City.
Despite an initial victory over Paris Saint-Germain, Solskjaer’s men were demoted to the Europa League after finishing third in their group. Thus, in the Europa League, United made it to the final, but were narrowly beaten by Villareal 11-10 on penalties.
Therefore, despite itching closer to silverware, Solskjaer and United still came away empty handed.
Overall – 5/10
2021/22
After two seasons without silverware, Solskjaer needed to win a trophy.
However, he failed to do this.
After five losses in seven, Solskjaer was sacked.
Before his sacking, in the League Cup, United had suffered a third round exit to West Ham.
However, it was a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, and then defeats to Manchester City and Watford which lost Solskjaer his job.
As a result, Ralf Rangnick was hired to be an interim coach for the remainder of the season.
Ralf Rangnick
The German manager was known as the father of the ‘gegen press.’ Rangnick had a phenomenal reputation in world football. Rangnick had won league trophies in Austria and the German cup for Schalke. However, the German hadn’t managed in a couple seasons after becoming a sporting director.
Ultimately, after Rangnick’s arrival, United still struggled.
In the league, United finished sixth, just qualifying for the Europa League after West Ham failed to win on the final day.
In the FACup, United suffered an embarrassing fifth round exit to Middlesborough on penalties.
Finally, in the Champions League, the Red Devils made it to the round of 16, but lost to Atletico Madrid over two legs.
Therefore, this proved to be another very disappointing year for United.
Overall – 4/10
- 2016/17
- 2015/16
- 2020/21
- 2017/18
- 2019/20
- 2014/15
- 2018/19
- 2021/22
- 2013/14