Ruben Amorim makes his Man Utd debut vs Ipswich. (Image: Getty)
will wear the famous colours for the first time this afternoon against at Portman Road. East Anglia will host an occasion that has been on the lips of millions across the globe since the 39-year-old was confirmed as successor.
Amorim is United’s sixth permanent manager – and the first head coach – since 2013 retirement and the club’s 13th post-war.
Express Sport takes a walk down memory lane to reflect on how the Red Devils’ 12 previous kingpins have fared on their debuts in the dugout.
Sir Matt Busby – 2-1 Grimsby Town (1946)
Due to his army duties, Matt Busby took charge of United in October 1945, eight months after agreeing to join.
He started his… rather eventful and successful… 23-year reign with a 2-1 win against Grimsby Town at Maine Road because Old Trafford had been bombed during the warfare.
Wilf McGuinness – Crystal Palace 2-2 (1969)
A year after Busby lifted United’s first European Cup, Wilf McGuinness started the first of his two tenures as boss with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
He was just 31 on that day, and goals from Bobby Charlton and Willie Morgan pegged the Glaziers – rather than the Eagles – back twice.
Frank O’Farrell – Derby County 2-2 (1971)
Another score draw, but contrasting emotions after full-time compared to two years prior, having led 2-0 inside 25 minutes. Kevin Hector and Frank Wignall ruled out Denis Law and Alan Gowling’s early strikes.
Frank O’Farrell lasted only briefly in the hot seat, losing his job the following year, paving the way for Tommy Docherty.
Sir Alex Ferguson lost his first game 2-0 at Oxford United. (Image: Getty)
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Tommy Docherty – 1-1 Leeds United (1972)
Docherty’s reign was five times longer. The charismatic former Scotland boss oversaw a 1-1 draw against Leeds United on his first outing.
Ted MacDougall’s opener looked to have handed United the victory before Allan Clarke struck in the dying embers.
Dave Sexton – Birmingham City 1-4 (1977)
Dave Sexton enjoyed one of the most successful managerial debuts in the club’s history, romping to a 4-1 triumph at Birmingham City.
Gordon Hill added to Lou Macari’s hat-trick as United ran riot in the Midlands.
Ron Atkinson – Coventry City 2-1 (1981)
Ron Atkinson – Ferguson’s predecessor – was the first United post-war manager to taste defeat on his debut when Coventry City ran out 2-1 winners at Highfield Road.
Macari continued his scoring streak under a new manager but Steve Whitton and Peter Bodak – who would later sign for United – handed the hosts victory.
Sir Alex Ferguson – Oxford United 2-0 (1986)
After Big Ron came a promising Scottish coach called Sir Alex Ferguson. You may have heard of him. He followed suit by losing his first match 2-0 at Oxford United.
Almost four decades later, Ferguson is recognised as one of United’s greatest legends alongside Busby – having lifted 38 trophies across 26 years.
You wouldn’t have expected that unprecedented success – or the biggest stand at Old Trafford being named in his honour – a few years into his reign as fans called for his head.
David Moyes – Swansea City 1-4 (2013)
David Moyes had the impossible task of succeeding Ferguson, not even lasting a season at the start of United’s era of mediocrity after the Scot selected his compatriot and left the building.
His first game in charge produced a false dawn that all would be well in Fergie’s absence, though. Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck both scored twice in a 4-1 rout at Swansea City.
Louis van Gaal – 1-2 Swansea City (2014)
The Swans got their revenge at Old Trafford the following season, marking the worst possible start to Louis van Gaal’s two-year tenure.
Wayne Rooney cancelled out Ki Sung-yueng’s shock opener. Then Gylfi Sigurdsson produced an even bigger surprise, condemning United to their first home defeat in a league opener since 1972.
Jose Mourinho – Bournemouth 1-3 (2016)
Jose Mourinho restored normality in 2016 as Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in a 3-1 win on a sunny afternoon in Bournemouth.
Ibrahimovic continued to score in the 2016/17 season, helping United lift the Europa League and Carabao Cup.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the last Man Utd boss to win on his debut. (Image: Getty)
– Cardiff City 1-5 (2019)
Mourinho – obviously – didn’t prove to be the long-term solution, though. So, United icon arrived as interim boss before making such an impact that he earned a permanent job months later.
was tasked with putting smiles back on fans and players’ faces in December 2019, and, boy, did he do that in a festive fixture at Cardiff City.
United scored five goals in a match for the first time since Ferguson’s 5-5 farewell at West Bromwich Albion, courtesy of Jesse Lingard (twice), Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial.
– 1-2 Brighton and Hove Albion (2022)
The sun was beaming on Old Trafford. United had lured the most highly rated coach on the market in the summer. It was set up to be a victorious occasion.
Of course, it wasn’t. tasted a 2-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion and lost 4-0 at Brentford the following week. Talk about a warm welcome to the .