How Michael Carrick went from Man Utd’s best manager to one of the worst since Sir Alex Ferguson

Michael Carrick went from having the best managerial record in Manchester United’s history to losing his job in less than six months. And the numbers behind his extraordinary downfall tell a familiar story at Old Trafford.

Carrick became the seventh permanent manager to be sacked by United since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 when the club finally pulled the trigger on Thursday (November 12).

The former midfielder had appeared to have cracked the United job after winning 12 of his 17 matches last season, securing third place and Champions League football.

That remarkable 70.6% winning record was better than any permanent United manager had achieved over their entire reign, including Ferguson himself.

But after just three victories in 15 matches this season, Carrick’s overall win rate plunged to 46.9%.

United are now 18th in the Premier League, with just one league victory all season, following Sunday’s extraordinary 4-4 draw against Aston Villa.

And Carrick has become the latest casualty of a managerial merry-go-round that has consumed some of football’s biggest names.

How does Michael Carrick compare to Manchester United’s other managers?

The numbers show just how difficult the United job has become since Ferguson stepped down after 27 years.

The legendary Scot won 26 major trophies during his reign and finished with a winning percentage of 59.7% across 1,500 matches.

None of his seven permanent successors has managed to match that record over their completed spells.

Jose Mourinho remains the most successful by winning percentage, according to Press Association figures, winning 58.3% of his 144 Premier League matches.

Erik ten Hag comes next with 54.7%, narrowly ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on 54.2% when his caretaker matches are included.

Louis van Gaal recorded 52.4%, while David Moyes managed 52.9% during his brief and disastrous spell.

Carrick’s overall figure of 46.9% leaves him ahead of only Ruben Amorim’s 38.1%, although Carrick’s record covers matches in all competitions while the historical figures largely reflect league results.

It is an astonishing reversal for a man who, just months ago, looked capable of restoring some stability to the club.

Seven managers, 13 years and the same outcome

United’s struggle to replace Ferguson has now lasted more than 13 years.

David Moyes, personally chosen as Ferguson’s successor, was handed a six-year contract in 2013 but survived just 10 months.

Louis van Gaal delivered the FA Cup in 2016 but was dismissed after finishing fifth in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho won the League Cup and Europa League in 2017, giving United their most successful season under any post-Ferguson manager, but was gone by December 2018.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer initially transformed the atmosphere at Old Trafford, winning 14 of his first 19 matches as caretaker manager.

But his winning percentage dropped after he secured the permanent job and he was eventually sacked in November 2021 without winning a trophy.

Erik ten Hag managed to deliver both domestic cups, including a memorable FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, but was dismissed in October 2024.

Ruben Amorim then endured the worst permanent managerial record of the post-Ferguson era before losing his job in January 2026.

Carrick initially appeared to have reversed that decline, only to suffer an almost identical collapse to Solskjaer.

Both former United players enjoyed spectacular early results before discovering how quickly fortunes can change at Old Trafford.

Why was Michael Carrick sacked?

The immediate reason was United’s disastrous start to the season.

Carrick oversaw the club’s worst opening to a campaign since 1986, with United picking up just eight points from their first 10 Premier League matches.

His side failed to win any of their last eight league games, and Sunday’s chaotic draw with Villa proved the final straw.

United had already suffered a humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat against Como and a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth.

Club bosses Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada had previously decided to give Carrick another opportunity to turn things around, but the international break brought a change of direction.

Announcing his departure, United described the decision as “extremely difficult” and paid tribute to Carrick’s service.

The club said: “Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend.”

Defender Harry Maguire also paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “Will always be a legend. Respect. Thank you.”

Who will replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United?

Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is expected to become United’s eighth permanent boss since Ferguson.

The Argentine is currently in charge of the United States national team, but talks are progressing over a deal to bring him back to the Premier League.

A framework agreement is understood to be in place, with negotiations involving United and US Soccer over his departure.

Pochettino reportedly has a release clause worth around £7.4million.

He is expected to remain in charge of the USA for their Nations League quarter-final against Haiti, with the first leg on Saturday and the return fixture next Tuesday.

United’s next match is against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, November 22, giving the club a narrow window to complete the appointment.

Pressure grows on Manchester United’s owners

Carrick’s dismissal has also intensified scrutiny of United’s hierarchy.

Supporters have increasingly directed their anger towards the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, while director of football Jason Wilcox has faced criticism over the club’s decline.

Former United defender Gary Neville criticised the handling of Carrick’s departure, describing the process as “clumsy” and “classless”.

Carrick leaves with his reputation as a United player intact, having made 464 Premier League appearances for the club and won a collection of major honours.

But his managerial record is another reminder of the scale of the challenge facing whoever takes charge next.

Ferguson remained in charge for 27 years. United have now dismissed seven permanent managers in just 13.

And with the club facing a relegation battle rather than a title challenge, Pochettino could be walking into the toughest job of them all.