Manchester United fire Solskjaer amid dismal run

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Charlotte Tattersall - UEFA / UEFA / Getty

Ole's no longer at the wheel.

After weeks of speculation and mounting pressure, Manchester United fired manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the wake of Saturday's harrowing 4-1 defeat to Watford.

The decision came after an emergency board meeting that lasted several hours.

"Ole will always be a legend at Manchester United, and it is with regret that we have reached this difficult decision," the club said. "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."

Former United midfielder Michael Carrick, a member of Solskjaer's staff, will take charge for "forthcoming" games while the Red Devils look to appoint an interim coach until the end of the campaign.

Carrick's first match will be a crucial Champions League trip to Villarreal on Tuesday.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers and former Real Madrid tactician Zinedine Zidane have been linked with the United post for some time and could be among the options to succeed the Norwegian permanently.

Solskjaer, 48, had received continuous support from the club's brass even as results soured of late; he was reportedly assured his position was safe prior to the international break, even after United suffered chastening defeats to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City in quick succession.

But Saturday's setback, a fifth defeat in the last seven Premier League matches, was the final straw. The loss dropped United, considered a title contender going into the season, to seventh in the table.

"It was embarrassing, the way we played today," goalkeeper David De Gea said after the match.

"The first half was very poor, it's not acceptable for this club and the level of players that we have. It's another nightmare ... We don't know what to do with the ball, we are conceding a lot of goals. It's a horrible moment."

Solskjaer assumed the managerial position at Old Trafford in December 2018, replacing the ousted Jose Mourinho. He oversaw an immediate uptick in results, winning 14 of his first 19 matches in charge.

He's been incapable of replicating that success; his tactics and management of United's star-studded squad has come under intense scrutiny, particularly of late. The club has invested heavily with Solskjaer at the helm, spending over £400 million in transfer fees in the last three seasons.

The arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, and Raphael Varane prior to the current season were expected to push the team over the top and help United claim their first trophy since winning the Europa League in 2017.

Instead, the situation has deteriorated, culminating with the loss against Watford, a team that went into the contest in the thick of the relegation battle.

"I feel for the fans, and I feel the same as them. We're embarrassed by losing the way we do," Solskjaer, who inked a three-year contract extension this past summer, told Sky Sports on Saturday. "We know we are in a very bad run and a bad situation, but that's football, and I know they'll support whoever is on the pitch every day, and sometimes you've got to say sorry."

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