Manchester United sack Ole Gunnar after Watford defeat
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has admitted he’s ‘disappointed’ at the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian has been axed after his side were battered 4-1 by Watford on Saturday. Michael Carrick will now take charge temporarily while the club hunt an interim replacement.
United confirmed the sacking of Solskjaer in a statement today.
“Manchester United announces that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left his role as Manager,” it read.
“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.
Man Utd have confirmed the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Image: GETTY)
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“The team has gone backwards since the start of the season after a very, very excitable transfer window with some huge names coming in,” he said on BT Sport.
“It’s not gone the way we want it to go.
“It’s looked inevitable the last few weeks, especially Man United losing at home to Liverpool in the manner they did and again the manner they did against Manchester City.
“I thought then was maybe the time and then the international break comes, you wait, and you think ‘actually I can get things right, things can change again’.
“And then what you saw against Watford yesterday was terrible.
Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand is disappointed with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacking (Image: GETTY)
“So I’m not surprised. Disappointed, obviously, in the way the team has performed.
“It’s unfortunate for someone like Ole but it’s the way football goes, it’s the world of football, it’s a cutthroat industry.
“And when things aren’t going to plan, the big decisions are made.
“Where they go from now we’ll have to wait and see. Michael Carrick is going to be in charge until an interim is brought in and it’s a waiting game now.”
United are now poised to hire an interim replacement.
Man Utd sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after woeful Watford defeat (Image: GETTY)
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One option could be Ralf Rangnick, even if he’s previously been deemed too combative for the role.
Laurent Blanc is another, though the former defender is currently working in the Middle East.
And links to Julen Lopetegui have arisen in recent hours, despite the Spaniard being happy at Sevilla.
Solskjaer has become the fourth manager to be sacked by United in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have all previously been sacked for failing to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.