Context matters: Solskjaer inherited a toxic environment after Mourinho's public feuds and a squad fractured by the Pogba-Solskjaer saga. Amorim's exit, though acrimonious, didn't fracture the dressing room to the same degree. United lost three of Mourinho's last eight games, creating a volatile backdrop Solskjaer had to stabilize. Carrick, meanwhile, faced scrutiny over his lack of managerial experience despite his playing legacy.

The 101-day span of Carrick's tenure versus Solskjaer's 86-day window under pressure further complicates assessments, with United's board now weighing short-term results against long-term project viability.