Manchester United news LIVE: Mauricio Pochettino keen on job, Michael Carrick press conference

Manchester United begin the post-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era this week with interim boss Michael Carrick primed to take charge of the team for their Champions League match against Villarreal on Tuesday.

Following one of the worst displays of the Norwegian’s tenure, going down 4-1 at Watford, United have opted for a change, leaving a complicated legacy for Solskjaer due to his failure to deliver silverware.

It had been a long time coming, too, with The Independent learning that the 48-year-old was made aware that he was under renewed pressure ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road, with United chiefs increasingly concerned about the mood of the players, made worse by the damaging defeat to Manchester City in the derby at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo’s feelings appear to have ultimately been relevant in the decision too, with the Portuguese superstar growing increasingly agitated by the worrying decline, feelings replicated by his compatriot Bruno Fernandes.

In terms of a longer term interim appointment, rather than an immediate long-term successor, Laurent Blanc has emerged as a strong candidate, before the club make a permanent decision on a figure such as Ajax’s Erik ten Hag in the summer. Blanc was mooted as an option when Solskjaer first arrived to stand in for Jose Mourinho in December 2018, and he has a good relationship with the hierarchy and Sir Alex Ferguson having spent two years at United as a player. 

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Poll: Who will be the next permanent Manchester United manager?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign as Manchester United manager is finally over.

The Norwegian’s three-year tenure was brought to an end on Sunday following the Premier League defeat at Watford on Saturday.

The 4-1 result and the manner of the performance proved to be the final straw after a deeply disappointing run of form with the club confirming he had been relieved of his duties on Sunday morning.

PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino is the current frontrunner to take on the job after being spoken to before while former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is highly thought of by those at Old Trafford.

Brendan Rodgers’ work at Celtic and Leicester City has also caught the eye while Ajax’s Erik ten Hag is another option being considered.

Tell us who you think you will take over in our poll here:

Poll: Who will be the next permanent Manchester United manager?

We want to know who you think will take charge at Old Trafford following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United suffering from ‘cultural problem’ as Man City build ‘football empire’

Gary Neville has said Manchester United’s problems will not be solved by the firing of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with rivals Man City providing a blueprint on how a club can thrive.

Former United striker Solskjaer was sacked as head coach on Sunday, following his side’s 4-1 thrashing by struggling Watford on Saturday.

The Norwegian had overseen a poor recent run of results and failed to win any silverware in his three years in charge at Old Trafford, but United’s lack of success is not solely down to Solskjaer, Neville said of his former Red Devils teammate.

Statistical update of Man United’s place in Europe

So did Solskjaer take United places, improve them and make them a better club by the time he left than when he took over?

Here’s a statistical look, with the ECI being based on many metrics to predict upcoming success.

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after Manchester United sack ‘outstanding human being’ Solskjaer

Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following the Norwegian’s sacking as Manchester United coach.

Solskjaer was relieved of his duties on Sunday morning, with his side having fallen to a 4-1 defeat at struggling Watford on Saturday.

Ronaldo returned to United this summer to play under Solskjaer, who was a teammate of the Portuguese at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2007.

Now the 36-year-old has bid Solskjaer a warm farewell, writing on Twitter: “He’s been my striker when I first came to Old Trafford and he’s been my coach since I came back to Man United.

“But most of all, Ole is an outstanding human being. I wish him the best in whatever his life has reserved for him.”

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after Man United sack ‘outstanding human being’ Solskjaer

Ronaldo paid tribute to his former teammate and now-former coach

Michael Carrick ready to manage Manchester United for ‘as long as it takes’

More from Michael Carrick ahead of his first match as, well, interim interim boss. Super-temporary manager. Before the Champions League match against Villarreal, anyway.

Michael Carrick ready to step up for ‘as long as it takes’ after Ed Woodward meeting

Carrick will lead United’s coaching staff for trip to Villarreal

Michael Carrick’s upcoming run of Manchester United fixtures

Michael Carrick is in place for now, then, though he doesn’t know how long for. What’s on the agenda beyond Tuesday’s Champions League group stage? Here’s the club’s upcoming fixture list:

  • 23 November (CL) Villarreal vs Man United
  • 28 November (PL) Chelsea vs Man United
  • 2 December (PL) Man United vs Arsenal
  • 5 December (PL) Man United vs Crystal Palace
  • 8 December (CL) Man United vs Young Boys

A tough couple of away games and it’s no easier thereafter, though they will at least be back at Old Trafford. Beyond those matches it’s the likes of strugglers Norwich, Brentford, Burnley and Newcastle within a five-match run which could make for a nice start for whoever the new boss is.

Harry Maguire says Manchester United players must ‘take responsibility’ for Solskjaer sacking

Harry Maguire has addressed the media ahead of Man United’s Champions League clash with Villarreal.

“The players need to take responsibility for everything on and off the pitch. We were in this together. We are all so disappointed. We need to get this club back to where it was,” he said.

“It’s been a hard time for us as players given the respect we had for him. We’ve been on a journey together. The emotion around the place was difficult to be in.

“We wanted to succeed and the result wasn’t good enough. It’s a result business. The players need to take responsibility. We are in this together.

“Ultimately the manager has paid the price, we are all so disappointed by that. We know we haven’t been good enough. We have spoken about that. The lads want to succeed.”

Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was by no means club’s only problem

“Letting Solskjaer go was put off for as long as possible because the spotlight would effectively turn to those who unnecessarily let him in on a permanent basis, unnecessarily handed him a new three-year contract when there were significant question marks against his capabilities, and unnecessarily allowed the nostalgia experiment to go on despite a series of crisis points colouring the past three years.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was far the only problem at Manchester United and the issues haven’t departed with him, writes Melissa Reddy

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was by no means Manchester United’s only problem

While the Norwegian was part of the problem, those above him have proven to be the real issue at Old Trafford

Latest news on Manchester United manager search

Right, time for a run-down on where we are after an evening of reaction and a morning of reflection following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking by Manchester United:

  • Laurent Blanc is “a strong candidate” and is in the running for interim boss role, reports Miguel Delaney
  • Gary Neville has labelled Mauricio Pochettino the “stand-out candidate” for the full-time job
  • And Melissa Reddy has explained how the Red Devils could make it happen at the third time of asking – even before summer
  • Here are the latest odds on who will be United’s next manager

What legacy does Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leave as Manchester United manager?

Solskjaer leaves having failed to win a trophy or elevating United to the level of genuine contenders for major honours, but also having achieved what he was brought in to do.

So what legacy does he leave at Old Trafford? Mark Critchley explains all.

What legacy does Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leave as Manchester United manager?

Solskjaer leaves having failed to win a trophy or elevating United to the level of genuine contenders for major honours, but also having achieved what he was brought in to do

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