Michael Carrick Leads Manager Ranking as Manchester United Surge Up Premier League Table in England During Dramatic 2025 Season Run In

With just a handful of games left in the 2025–26 Premier League season, the spotlight naturally falls on the title race.

Arsenal sit at the top with 73 points from 34 matches, holding a slim edge over Manchester City, who trail with 70 points but have a game in hand.

On paper, it looks like a familiar two-horse race.

But once you dig a little deeper—especially into managerial performance—the picture becomes far more interesting.

Manchester United’s quiet resurgence

While the title fight grabs headlines, Manchester United have quietly climbed into third place with 58 points from 33 games.

A big part of that turnaround comes down to interim boss Michael Carrick.

Since stepping in mid-season, Carrick has steadied the ship and then some.

United’s form has improved dramatically, with results coming consistently enough to lock in Champions League qualification earlier than expected.

It’s the kind of bounce that doesn’t just change a season—it reshapes expectations.

Points per game reveals a different hierarchy

League tables tell one story, but points per game (PPG) often tells the truth about consistency.

And when you rank managers by PPG this season, the order shifts in surprising ways.

Carrick actually leads the pack with an impressive 2.17 PPG, narrowly ahead of Mikel Arteta, whose Arsenal side has been relentless across the campaign.

Just behind them is Pep Guardiola, still pushing Manchester City right to the edge in the title race.

The margins are tiny—fractions of a point—but they highlight how fine the difference is at the very top.

The middle pack: steady but unspectacular

Further down, you find managers who have delivered solid, if not spectacular, campaigns.

Arne Slot at Liverpool and Unai Emery at Aston Villa are tied at 1.70 PPG, reflecting teams that have been competitive without quite breaking into the elite tier.

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Then comes a cluster of managers hovering in the 1.3 to 1.5 range—names like Marco Silva at Fulham and David Moyes at Everton.

These are the sides that have avoided chaos but haven’t quite threatened the top spots either.

Chaos on the sidelines: sackings and short-term fixes

One of the biggest themes this season has been instability in the dugout.

Several clubs have changed managers mid-season, and it shows clearly in the PPG rankings.

At United, Ruben Amorim started the campaign before being replaced by Carrick.

Chelsea also went through a reset, moving on from Enzo Maresca and later handing duties to Liam Rosenior.

Short caretaker spells and brief appointments—like those involving Darren Fletcher—add even more variation.

Some managers barely had time to make an impact, which explains why the bottom of the PPG table looks so erratic.

The lower end: when things just don’t click

At the bottom of the rankings, the numbers drop sharply.

Managers like Graham Potter and Scott Parker struggled to get consistent results, while ultra-short stints from figures such as Igor Tudor and Ange Postecoglou produced minimal returns.

These figures highlight just how unforgiving the Premier League can be.

A few bad weeks can define an entire season—or even cost a job.

Impact and Consequences

This season’s managerial shake-ups underline a growing trend in modern football: patience is running thin.

Clubs are quicker than ever to make changes, hoping for an instant boost.

In some cases, like Manchester United under Carrick, that gamble has paid off.

In others, constant changes have disrupted momentum and left teams drifting.

The PPG rankings also reshape how success is judged.

It’s no longer just about where a team finishes—it’s about how efficiently results are delivered along the way.

What’s next?

As the season nears its conclusion, all eyes will be on the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City. One slip could decide everything.

At the same time, clubs outside the top two will already be planning for next season.

Some managers have strengthened their positions, while others may be looking over their shoulders.

Expect more movement in the summer—new appointments, fresh tactics, and another reshuffle that could completely rewrite this ranking next year.

Summary

The Premier League table shows Arsenal leading and Manchester City chasing, but the deeper story lies in managerial performance.

Michael Carrick’s standout points-per-game record has turned heads, while consistency from Arteta and Guardiola keeps the title race alive.

Elsewhere, instability and short-term appointments have defined much of the league.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Arsenal lead the table, with Manchester City close behind and a game in hand
• Manchester United’s rise to third is largely driven by Michael Carrick’s impact
• Carrick tops the PPG rankings, ahead of Arteta and Guardiola
• Mid-table managers have delivered steady but unspectacular performances
• Multiple clubs changed managers mid-season, affecting consistency
• Short-term and caretaker roles heavily influenced lower PPG rankings
• The season highlights how quickly managerial fortunes can change
• The title race and future managerial decisions will shape what comes next