Michael Carrick is on the brink following another defeat, but where does he sit in the list of Manchester United managers since Sir Alex Ferguson?

Another season and another Manchester United manager is clinging to his job. Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge piled more pressure on the beleaguered Michael Carrick and left United hovering just above the relegation zone.

A third loss in a row means United have gone nine matches without a win in all competitions for the first time in 38 years. After the game, Carrick insisted he expects to still be in charge for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Roma.

But amid obvious unrest in the dressing room, the United hierarchy may be forced to act sooner rather than later in a bid to prevent a full-scale relegation battle. If Carrick is sacked, he would join a lengthy and illustrious list of managers who have tried, and failed, to recapture the success of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Mirror Football ranks the managers since Ferguson stepped down in 2013 best to worst. Don't agree? Have your say in our interactive widget below.

7. Ruben Amorim (2024-2026)

Poor results, wedded to tactics that clearly weren't working and fell out with players and club chiefs - the less said about Amorim's troubled reign, the better.

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6. David Moyes (2013-2014)

United were seventh when he was sacked shortly before the end of his only season in charge. Compared to the current turmoil, that looks pretty good. But compared to what had gone before under Sir Alex, the sack was inevitable.

5. Michael Carrick (2026- )

Impressively led United back to the Champions League after inheriting the wreckage left by Ruben Amorim. However, it has proved to be nothing more than an extended new manager 'bounce.' It's surely a case of when, not if, he suffers the same fate as the other managers on this list.

4. Louis van Gaal (2014-2016)

Not terrible but nothing to write home about either. Finishing fourth in his first season was a reasonable effort but fifth during the miraculous Leicester season, when most of their rivals were off the boil, was a big disappointment. Won the FA Cup but the decision to sack him had already been made.

3. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2018-2021)

Another spell that looks better with the passing of time - and it could get even better if City are stripped of titles as United finished second in 2020/21. He was third the previous season, securing Champions League football, but couldn't land a trophy.

2. Erik ten Hag (2022-2024)

The start to the Dutchman's spell in charge was hugely encouraging, with third place, 75 points and the Carabao Cup. He even survived clashing with Cristiano Ronaldo. But things began to fall apart in the second season, even though it was salvaged by a shock FA Cup final win over City, which landed him a new contract. That was ripped up a few months later following a torrid start to the 2024/25 campaign.

1. Jose Mourinho (2016-2018)

Mourinho's mixed spell at Old Trafford has aged well. Winning the Europa League (and with it securing Champions League football) was a fine achievement. Throw in a League Cup and a second-placed finish behind a rampant Manchester City, who we know weren't playing by the rules, and it looks a thoroughly respectable stint.