Official: Manchester United sack Solskjaer

After another humbling Premier League defeat, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time as Manchester United manager has ended.

Manchester United have parted ways with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Watford.

The club board held an emergency meeting on Saturday night; mere hours after the loss at Vicarage Road. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and co-chairman Joel Glazer attended. They all mutually agreed a change in the dugout was necessary after several hours of talks.

Glazer has approved the decision, and United will pay Solskjaer a compensation package reportedly worth around £7.75 million.

The Norwegian leaves Old Trafford with a record of 92 victories, 35 draws, and 41 defeats in 168 games since he first took charge in December 2018.

Manchester United can confirm that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left his role as Manager.

Thank you for everything, Ole ❤️#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 21, 2021

Who will become the next manager?

First-coach Michael Carrick will take over from Solskjaer temporarily until the club find an interim manager for the rest of the season.

As for the hunt for a permanent coach, the club’s hierarchy reportedly favors Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers. Despite the Northern Irishman denying links to Old Trafford recently, he remains the reported favorite. United would pay to release the ex-Liverpool boss from his Leicester contract, which runs until 2023.

Reports have also linked Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag and Spain coach Luis Enrique to the United job.

Whoever takes charge will have a big task on their hands. The Red Devils have lost five of their last seven Premier League games. They’re currently down in seventh-place in the league table and have conceded 15 goals in their last four defeats to Watford, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Leicester.

Next up is a trip to Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.