Left: REUTERS/Scott Heppell Right: REUTERS/Chris Radburn
Michael Carrick will be in the dugout for Manchester United's trip to Chelsea, but his job still appears to be at risk if he can't turn the Red Devils' current form around.
He guided his old club back into the UEFA Champions League after taking over from Ruben Amorim in January 2026, but Carrick's impressive performances from the technical area haven't continued into the 2026-27 season.
In truth, none of the managers who have followed the iconic Sir Alex Ferguson have reached the lofty expectations set by the Scot. In 27 years, he won the Premier League 13 times and the Champions League twice.
Looking at the three managers Ferguson has wanted at Man Utd since his 2013 retirement proves the kind of character he thinks is required. As his old employers look like they might be on the hunt for a new coach soon, it's interesting to take a look at his past selections.
Sir Alex Ferguson's Managerial Favourites
Action Images / John Sibley Livepic
Erik ten Hag is one of the managers who have actually managed to get their hands on silverware since Fergie's departure. The Dutchman won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, but ultimately fell short of restoring the club to its former glory.
When he was sacked in late 2024, Ferguson reportedly wanted six-time Serie A winner Massimiliano Allegri to take the reigns. The Italian tactician is one of the most successful managers of the 2010s, claiming 12 trophies at Juventus.
Roy Keane | Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
Roy Keane | Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
Ultimately, however, the English giants went with one of the best young managers in the game. Amorim was appointed and proved to be one of the worst-performing bosses in the club's history. Maybe they should've listened to Ferguson.
When it came to his own replacement in 2013, he wanted Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola on the red side of Manchester. The Catalan-born genius instead wanted to challenge himself in the Bundesliga and eventually built a dynasty with United's once 'noisy neighbours'.
Sir Alex Ferguson shaking hands with Michael Carrick
Sir Alex Ferguson shaking hands with Michael Carrick
Writing in his 2012 book 'Games of My Life', Ferguson wrote (per The Mirror): "Over the past ten years, I have often wondered what might have happened if the dinner I had with Pep Guardiola in New York in 2012 had taken place a couple of months earlier.
Another serial winner that passed the club by. It's clear Fergie has been of the belief that a big character who won't crumble under the intense scrutiny is required. Much like himself.
He was reportedly an advocate of a coach who doesn't necessarily have the trophies on his CV, but has worked with big-name stars. Mauricio Pochettino, now the USMNT boss, was Ferguson's preferred choice in 2021, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked.
At the time, he'd worked with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min at Tottenham and almost won the Champions League in 2019. He has since managed Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain. Another big character who isn't afraid of the big stars.