Manchester United have reportedly decided to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following the club’s abysmal 4-1 loss to Watford on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils came into the game already on the back of a woeful run of form, losing six of their previous 12 league outings before surrendering to another embarrassing defeat, a loss that could have been far worse had it not been for David de Gea’s twice saved penalty early on in proceedings during the clash at Vicarage Road.
As it was, Manchester United failed to keep the hosts at bay, with former Red Devils academy star Josh King being the man to give the hornets the lead before the half hour mark.
One-time Man Utd target Ismailla Sarr doubled the hosts’ lead on the stroke of half time to secure their advantage for Claudio Ranieri’s side, only for half-time substitute Donny Van de Beek to pull one back after the interval to give the visitors hope of a revival.
Harry Maguire – who boldly chose to celebrate his international goals against minnows Albania and San Marino in midweek – would be shown a red card after collecting two yellow cards in seven crazy second-half minutes, and following his sending off, the England international would see his side’s deficit transform into something of an embarrassing result.
Joao Pedro and Emmanuel Dennis would complete the rout, netting twice in stoppage time to secure a 4-1 win for the Hornets, and after United’s defeat, it was widely reported that the Old Trafford outfit were holding emergency meetings in order to decide the future of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
According to Fabrizio Romano, those talks were concluded with a decision to sack Solskjaer having been reached, with club concluding a five hour meeting with the decision to relieve the Norwegian of his duties.
Manchester United board have decided to fire Ole Gunnar Solskjær after 5 hour internal talk, confirmed. Mutual agreement to part ways now considered. 🔴 #MUFC
Once Joel Glazer approves the decision, it will be confirmed and announced by Man United. pic.twitter.com/e9V7GeLIE7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 20, 2021
The Italian journalist says that the decision to sack Solskjaer has been approved by co-owner Joel Glazer, with the announcement set to be made in the coming hours.
Assuming the reports are correct, question marks will now be left as to who will replace Solskjaer as the club’s new head coach, with Brendan Rodgers, Erik Ten Hag and Zinedine Zidane among the front runners for the job.
It has been suggested that former midfielder and current technical director, Darren Fletcher, will take temporary charge, with the club set to take on Villarreal in midweek in a crucial Champions League group stage clash, before fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal.
