Six permanent managers have followed Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement at Manchester United, but there’s only one Sir Jim Ratcliffe would have avoided.
Since Ferguson stepped away from Old Trafford at the end of the 2013 season, the Red Devils have won two FA Cups, two League Cups and the Europa League.
However, a 21st top flight title has proved elusive.
That next league title could be some way away given United, under Ruben Amorim, are on track for their lowest league finish in the Premier League era as they sit a lowly 14th.
Despite United’s dismal season, which began under Erik ten Hag before he was sacked in October and replaced by Amorim a month later, Ratcliffe remains a big advocate of the Portuguese boss and labelled him ‘an outstanding young manager’ in an interview with the BBC.
But Ratcliffe could not say the same for one of the other managers who arrived at Old Trafford following Ferguson’s retirement, as he revealed which individual he would not have appointed in an interview with The Times.
“Look, I like David Moyes, and I think he’s a really good manager, but to go from Sir Alex Ferguson to Moyes is not where I would have gone,” Ratcliffe said.
“Moyes stepped into the shoes of Ferguson, who’s won the Premier League 13 times, who won the Champions League twice and then you’re handing over to a guy that has never managed big players and had never won anything.
“He’s not necessarily got the personality to stand in front of them all.”
Moyes moved from Everton to United in July 2013 and was given the unenviable task of replacing the legendary Ferguson.
Unfortunately, Moyes’ stint at Old Trafford did not go to plan as he lasted just one season in charge.
Under Moyes, the Red Devils finished 7th in what was their lowest finish in the Premier League era.
United also crashed out of the FA Cup in the third round but enjoyed runs to the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Champions League and League Cup respectively.
Moyes departed with a record of 27 wins, nine draws and 15 defeats from 51 games across all competitions.
Although the Scot may not have been a hit at Old Trafford, he went on to enjoy European success with West Ham.
He initially joined the Hammers in November 2017 on a six-month deal as he successfully helped stave off relegation.
Moyes returned for a second stint in December 2019 and would record three top-half finishes during his four-and-a-half-year stay.
However, his best success with the Hammers came in continental competition as he guided West Ham to the Europa Conference League crown in 2023.
Moyes also steered the club to a semi-final and quarter-final appearance in the Europa League before he mutually agreed to depart the club at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
The 61-year-old has since returned to management at Everton as he replaced Sean Dyche.
The Toffees have enjoyed a resurgence under the Scot, who has lost just twice from the 10 games he has been in charge.
Moyes was even named the Premier League’s Manager of the Month for February as Everton went unbeaten from their five games.
It was the 11th time Moyes had received the award, with only Ferguson and Arsene Wenger claiming the accolade on more occasions.
