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Top 6 worst Man Utd managers ever and where Michael Carrick ranks

Michael Carrick's dismal start to the season has left some Manchester United fans wondering where he ranks among the club's worst bosses

Things went from bad to worse for Michael Carrick and Manchester United on Sunday. A 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth left the team 16th in the Premier League table and at genuine risk of relegation unless things improve. By the time they take on Chelsea on Saturday, they will have gone more than two months without a domestic win. Given the doom and gloom around the club of late, it can be tempting to weigh up where Carrick ranks among United's worst ever bosses - which is why we've done just that.

The bar is at a different level to what we might expect from most other clubs. Half a century of United's history is taken up by the brilliance of Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson, leaving fewer disappointments to choose from. Even Tommy Docherty, who relegated United in the 70s, left with a positive reputation among a chunk of the support after turning things around. We've made our picks for you here and it really points to how much of United's misery comes from the post-Fergie era.

6. Frank O'Farrell

Frank O'Farrell
Replacing the legendary Matt Busby was always going to be a thankless task. Wilf McGuinness gave it a go before Busby returned as caretaker and then it was time for O’Farrell, whose tenure was a frustrating one. 18 months might be longer than many managers last today, but at the time it was particularly short, and his spell in charge also brought about the beginning of the end for George Best at Old Trafford. (Image: Getty)

5. Michael Carrick

Manchester United v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League 2026/27
If we exclude Carrick's caretaker stint and only look at this season, he might be the worst. However, we need to look at the run to third place which got him the job to begin with, even if the start to the 2026/27 season has set alarm bells ringing. (Image: Getty)

4. Ralf Rangnick

Crystal Palace v Manchester United - Premier League
If we're considering interim spells, we probably need Rangnick in here. He took the club from seventh to sixth - not much to reflect on there - but then there was the chaos off the pitch as he made the cardinal error of telling those above him what they were doing wrong. As such, a planned move upstairs was cancelled, costing United precious time and points. (Image: Getty)

3. David Moyes

Norwich City v Manchester United - Premier League
United might settle for seventh place this season given how poorly things have started, but we need to put these things in context. Moyes took over a title-winning squad and made them look nowhere near repeating the feat, and he did it in less than a year. (Image: Getty)

2. Ruben Amorim

Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
It's hard not to weigh expectation against reality here. Amorim joined off the back of an eye-catching demolition of Manchester City as Sporting CP boss but proceeded to lead United to by far their worst-ever Premier League finish. Yes, there was a Europa League final in the mix, but his stubbornness made him look incapable of turning things around in any serious manner. (Image: Getty)

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