Man Utd: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked

Manchester United have sacked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Watford.

The club have won just one of their past seven Premier League matches and are seventh in the table, 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.

First-team coach Michael Carrick has been placed in temporary charge while United seek an interim manager to the end of the season.

“It is with regret that we have reached this difficult decision,” United said in a statement.

United added: “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.

“Ole leaves with our sincerest thanks for his tireless efforts as manager and our very best wishes for the future.”

The club’s recent run of poor form includes a 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool on October, 24 and a 2-0 defeat by Manchester City on November 6.

Solskjaer is a former Red Devils player, scoring 126 goals in 11 seasons from 1996-2007 including the winner in the 1999 Champions League final.

United in their statement, added, “His place in the club’s history will always be secure, not just for his story as a player, but as a great man and a manager who gave us many great moments.”

“He will forever be welcome back at Old Trafford as part of the Manchester United family.”

United will take on Spanish side Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday, before league games against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Darren Fletcher will stay on as technical director, while Mike Phelan and Kieran McKenna – who were part of Solskjaer’s coaching set up – will also remain at the club for the time being.

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, currently out of work, is an early favourite with bookmakers to become United’s next manager.

Solskjaer, 48, replaced Jose Mourinho on an interim basis in December 2018.

The Norwegian was then given the job full-time in March 2019 on a three-year contract and, in July, he signed a new deal with the club until 2024.

Solskjaer was United’s fourth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 – and had lasted longer than more experienced predecessors David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Mourinho.

But with United finishing in second place in the Premier League last May – 12 points behind champions Manchester City – and losing the Europa League final to Villarreal on penalties, it was accepted that Solskjaer needed a trophy this season to stay in the job.

United are top of their Champions League group after four games, level on points with second-placed Villarreal but only two ahead of Atalanta in third.

They were beaten by Moyes’ West Ham in the third round of the Carabao Cup and have yet to start their FA Cup campaign.

After four wins and a draw in their first five Premier League games, United have been poor, claiming just four points from a possible 21.

They have conceded 21 goals in 12 games – only the bottom two sides Norwich and Newcastle have conceded more, with 27.

Solskjaer leaves United with a win percentage of 54.2% from 168 games across all competitions.