Manchester United Parts Ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
In just 48 hours after a disheartening 4‑1 loss to newly promoted Watford, the Old Trafford giants decided to let go of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 48‑year‑old Norwegian had only signed a three‑year extension back in July, and now it’s time for a new direction.
Who’s stepping in?
- Michael Carrick – former United midfielder and Solskjaer’s left‑hand man – will take the reins for tomorrow’s Champions League clash against Villarreal.
- The club says they’re actively searching for an interim manager to steer the side through the rest of the season.
Why it happened
Solskjaer’s spell has seen a rash of five defeats in the last seven Premier League games, totalling losses to Aston Villa, Leicester City, Liverpool and Manchester City. United are now seventh in the standings, a full 12 points adrift of Chelsea after just 12 fixtures.
Despite a promising start to the season – bolstered by the arrival of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo – the build-up hasn’t panned out. United still haven’t lifted the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s last full season in 2013.
Official statement
Manchester United released a straight‑forward statement that, while they are “regretful,” the decision was unavoidable. They praised Solskjaer’s contributions over the past three years, acknowledging his “hard work to rebuild the foundations for long‑term success,” but emphasized the need for change after a string of dismal results.
Ironically, Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho back in December 2018 on a temporary basis. Yet, it’s clear the club is ready to move on.
