Manchester United sack manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after humiliating loss

Manchester United’s manager has been sacked after a demoralising loss for the English giants sealed his fate.

Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, southeast England, on November 20, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been sacked as Manchester United manager following a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Watford.

The English Premier League giants confirmed the news on Sunday night (AEDT) and announced another club legend Michael Carrick would take over the reigns as interim manager.

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“Manchester United announces that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left his role as manager,” the club said in a statement.

“Ole will always be a legend at Manchester United and it is with regret that we have reached this difficult decision.

“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. 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.

“Michael Carrick will now take charge of the team for forthcoming games, while the club looks to appoint an interim manager to the end of the season.”

Solskjaer admitted he was “embarrassed” after his team’s fifth defeat in their last seven Premier League games.

Multiple publications reported that the result of an emergency board meeting called after the Watford defeat was to bring the Norwegian’s three-year spell in charge at Old Trafford to an end.

Manchester United's manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer apologises to fans after a woeful loss to Watford. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP)

Solskjaer signed a new three-year contract in July and will reportedly be handed a AUD$13.9 million compensation package.

The club’s hierarchy stuck by Solskjaer during the recent international break despite humiliating home defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City.

But worse was to come at Vicarage Road as the struggling Watford could afford to miss a first half penalty twice and still run out comfortable winners.

Solskjaer has managed to ride out the storm during previous poor runs since taking charge in 2018.

But United’s latest slide comes after heavy pre-season investment on Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane that were expected to turn the team into title-winners for the first time since 2013.

Financial results released this week for the first quarter of the season showed United’s wage bill has risen 23 per cent.

However, that has not been rewarded on the field as the Red Devils find themselves 12 points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea down in seventh and out of the League Cup.

Much more was expected after steady progress during Solskjaer’s first two full seasons in charge.

Solskjaer is set to be sacked. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP)

He secured back-to-back top-four finishes in the Premier League for the first time since the club’s decline began with Alex Ferguson’s retirement as manager in 2013.

However, Solskjaer, who famously scored United’s winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich, has failed to win a trophy since his return to the club.

His legendary status as a United player meant the 48-year-old retained the support of fans even as results went downhill in recent months.

But even they began to turn on him on Saturday as he was booed while holding his hands up in apology to the travelling fans at full-time.

“Sometimes you’ve got to say ‘Sorry’,” said Solskjaer.

“I feel for the fans and I feel the same as them.”

“We were outfought. The first half is the worst we’ve played and it’s hard for me to explain why we played the way we did.

“The boys are in a terrible place in their heads now -- we have let ourselves down and the fans down. It’s hard to stand here and explain that, but that’s football and we have to take the flak for it.”

Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers and Ajax coach Erik ten Hag are the frontrunners to be Solskjaer’s successor.

Originally published as Manchester United sack manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after humiliating loss