Manchester United give manager Solskjaer the boot

Manchester — Manchester United sacked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday, a day after a 4-1 defeat by promoted Watford left the Old Trafford club seventh in the Premier League.

Former player Michael Carrick, a member of Solskjaer’s coaching staff, will take charge of the United team for Tuesday’s Champions League match away to Villarreal with the club saying they are now looking to appoint an interim manager to lead the side until the end of the season.

Norwegian Solskjaer had signed a three-year contract extension until 2024 in July but was dismissed after United lost five of their past seven league games, including defeats by Aston Villa, Leicester City, Liverpool and Manchester City.

“Manchester United announces that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left his role as manager. Ole will always be a legend at Manchester United and it is with regret that we have reached this difficult decision,” United said in a statement.

“While the past few weeks have been disappointing, they should not obscure all the work he has done over the past three years to rebuild the foundations for long-term success.”

United have not won the Premier League since Alex Ferguson’s last season in charge in 2013 when he led them to the title for the 13th time in his reign at Old Trafford.

The club signed Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo in August but after a good start to the campaign they have slipped to seventh in the standings after 12 games, 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.

The club’s hierarchy, including owner Joel Glazer and outgoing executive vice-chair Ed Woodward, have long faced opposition from fans and the unusual decision to make Carrick a “pre-interim” manager will raise eyebrows.

It is standard practice for clubs to place a member of the coaching staff in temporary charge while they search for a new permanent boss but not for a club to announce they are looking for an interim short-term manager as their next appointment.

Bookmakers have installed former Real Madrid coach and France midfielder Zinedine Zidane as favourite to be the next permanent manager of the club. 

Reuters