<P> O'Farrell's replacement was to be Scotland coach, Tommy Docherty . Docherty left the Scotland job and his first task at United was to keep the club in the top flight . He managed it once, but he was unable to pull it off again and the club was relegated in 1973--74 . They bounced straight back up the following season, though, and in their first season back in the top flight, the team cruised to a third - place finish and yet another FA Cup final . The next year, they went one better, beating Liverpool in the final to claim his first and only trophy at Old Trafford . It was soon discovered, however, that Docherty was having an affair with the wife of the club's physiotherapist, and he was immediately fired, replaced by Queens Park Rangers' manager Dave Sexton . </P> <P> Sexton remained in the United job for four years, but was unable to produce any silverware, and was replaced in 1981 by Ron Atkinson . Atkinson was able to rekindle the club's cup success, leading his side to two FA Cups in his five - year tenure . He also oversaw a series of respectable finishes in the league, but after his disastrous start to the 1986--87 season, he was sacked . His replacement, Alex Ferguson, had, in recent years, become the first manager to break the dominance of Rangers and Celtic in the Scottish league for over 15 years, winning the Scottish Premier Division title with Aberdeen three times in six years, as well as finishing as runner - up twice and winning the European Cup - Winners Cup . </P> <P> During his tenure, Ferguson was credited with the distinction of making some of the most shrewd purchases in the club's history, including the signings of Peter Schmeichel and Eric Cantona, each for less than £ 1.5 million . With these signings, combined with the club's many experienced players, Ferguson brought the league title back to Old Trafford for the first time in 26 years . In the following decade, he won the Premier League title another six times, including a hat - trick of titles from 1999 to 2001, a feat that no other manager has yet achieved with the same club . In 1999, he also led the club to an unprecedented Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League . Subsequently, he added another three league titles to his trophy haul, despite a number of promises of retirement . Ferguson won his 10th Premier League title in the 2007--08 season, and followed this up with his second Champions League title 10 days later . In 2008--09, Ferguson guided United to another Premier League title, making Manchester United the only club and him the only manager to have won the English league title three times in a row twice . His 12th title, in the 2010--11 season, was United's 19th overall, overtaking Liverpool's record of 18 . Ferguson won his 13th and final league title in the 2012--13 season, making 20 titles overall for United . At the end of the season, Ferguson announced his retirement, and he was replaced by Everton manager David Moyes . </P> <P> In his first match, Moyes gave United their 20th Community Shield and his first trophy as United manager; however, after failing to lead the club to Champions League qualification, he was sacked before the end of his first season, with Ryan Giggs taking temporary charge for the final four games of the 2013--14 season where the club finished seventh, their lowest league finish since the establishment of the Premier League . Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal was appointed as Moyes' permanent replacement on 19 May 2014, taking charge after the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup . In his inaugural season, United signed many prominent players and returned to the Champions League with a 4th - place finish . In his second season, United finished in 5th place behind Manchester City, out of Champions League position, but won the 2016 FA Cup, the club's first in a dozen years . The board, however, decided that not enough progress had been made from the previous season and Van Gaal was sacked on 23 May 2016, just days after lifting the cup . He was replaced by two - time European champion and former Chelsea boss José Mourinho on 27 May 2016 . Mourinho became United's fourth manager (including Giggs) in as many years since Ferguson's retirement . </P>

Who replaced alex ferguson as manager of manchester united