Why have Man Utd only had two 'successful' managers?

By William Bitibiri

Only three managers have won the league with Manchester United. Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt knew two. Ernest Mangnall was the name that stopped them.

“Who!?”

“Never heard of him,” Butt said.

Scholes was equally puzzled. Mangnall won United’s first two league titles, in 1907-08 and 1910-11. Sir Matt Busby added five, Sir Alex Ferguson 13.

“F****** hell,” Scholes replied.

Titles at Man Utd

20

League titles

3

Title-winning managers

18

Titles won by Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby

It is an understandable reaction. More than a century on, Mangnall’s achievements have faded from the conversation around United’s greatest managers. His two titles are often overlooked beside the five won by Busby and the 13 delivered by Ferguson.

But the numbers tell an unusual story. United have won 20 league titles under just three managers. Liverpool have also won 20, but theirs have been shared between six: Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish, Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.