A Timeline of Manchester United Managers Quiz

Ernest Mangnall (1903-1912)

Born in Bolton, Lancashire, in 1864, Ernest Mangnall became Manchester United's first recognised manager after joining the club in 1903. He guided United to promotion to the First Division in 1906, followed by League titles in 1908 and 1911 and the FA Cup in 1909. He also oversaw the move to Old Trafford in 1910. In 1912, he resigned and joined local rivals Manchester City, where he was manager from 1912-1924.

John Bentley (1912-1914)

John Bentley was born in Chapeltown, Lancashire, in 1860 and arrived at United with considerable experience in football administration. He had been a founding committee member of the Football League and later served as its president. Bentley won 36 of his 91 matches as United manager before becoming the club's full-time secretary when the secretary and team-manager roles were separated in 1914. He later became a vice-president of the Football Association.

Jack Robson (1914-1921)

Jack Robson, who was born in Durham in 1860, had previously managed Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace and Brighton before taking charge at Manchester United. In December 1914, he became the club's first dedicated team manager when the secretary and manager positions were separated. His spell was interrupted by the First World War, when the Football League was suspended for four seasons. He left United in 1921 because of ill health and died later that year.

John Chapman (1921-1926)

Scotland-born John Chapman became Manchester United's first Scottish manager. His first season ended in relegation, but he eventually guided the club back to the First Division by winning promotion in 1925. United finished ninth in his first season back in the top flight, but his tenure came to an abrupt end in October 1926 when the Football Association suspended him with immediate effect. The reasons were never made public.

Scott Duncan (1932-1937)

Born in Dumbarton in 1888, Scott Duncan took over when Manchester United were struggling financially and playing in the Second Division. The club narrowly avoided relegation to the Third Division in 1934, finishing one point above the drop zone. He then guided United to the Second Division title in 1936, although they were relegated again the following season. He left United in November 1937 to become manager of Ipswich Town.

Matt Busby (1945-1969)

Matt Busby's 24-year reign transformed Manchester United into a major force in English and European football. The Bellshill-born Scot won five First Division titles, two FA Cups and the European Cup in 1968, making United the first English club to lift the trophy. The Munich air disaster of 1958 devastated his young team, but he rebuilt the side and eventually reached European glory a decade later. He was knighted in 1968.

Tommy Docherty (1972-1977)

Tommy Docherty arrived in late 1972 with United facing the decline of the great team of the previous decade. Bobby Charlton retired, Denis Law departed and George Best's future became increasingly uncertain. United were relegated in 1974 but immediately bounced back by winning the Second Division title in 1975. He then led United to FA Cup success in 1977, beating Liverpool in the final. He was dismissed later that year after his affair with the club physiotherapist's wife became public.

Ron Atkinson (1981-1986)

Ron Atkinson took charge in 1981 after a successful spell at West Bromwich Albion. He brought Bryan Robson to Old Trafford for a British-record transfer fee and guided United to FA Cup victories in 1983 and 1985. United finished in the top four in each of Atkinson's completed league seasons, but he was dismissed in November 1986 after a poor start to the 1986-87 campaign.

Alex Ferguson (1986-2013)

After leaving Aberdeen, Alex Ferguson became manager at Old Trafford in November 1986 and went on to oversee the most successful era in Manchester United's history. He won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League titles. His 1998-99 team famously completed the Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. He retired at the end of the 2012-13 season after winning his final Premier League title and was knighted in 1999.

David Moyes (2013-2014)

David Moyes succeeded Alex Ferguson in 2013 after being recommended for the position by his predecessor and signing a six-year contract. His only season at Old Trafford proved difficult, with United finishing seventh in the Premier League and missing out on Champions League qualification. He was dismissed in April 2014 with four league matches remaining, bringing his brief tenure to an end.