Man Utd expected to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following emergency meeting
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United are expected to sack manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Saturday's humiliating 4-1 loss to Watford, with Darren Fletcher to step in as a caretaker replacement.
United bosses called an emergency meeting in light of the result as the Red Devils fell to their fifth Premier League defeat of the season.
The Sun and The Times have reported that Man Utd officials left that meeting intent of relieving Solskjaer of his managerial duties. The Manchester Evening News has added that 'multiple sources' have confirmed that Solskjaer will be dismissed, with a compensation package being discussed.
The local newspaper adds that Fletcher, who currently serves as technical director, will be placed in charge of the team on a temporary basis until a permanent solution is reached.
Solskjaer - who was booed by a section of away fans at full time - had insisted in his post-match press conference that he is still the man to turn United's season around. Bruno Fernandes and David de Gea also commented that the players should be receiving the bulk of the criticism, with the Spain goalkeeper particularly damning in his assessment of the squad.
But it appears the board will finally take action after Solskjaer survived the chop following embarrassments at the hands of rivals Liverpool and Man City last month.
The Norwegian is expected to receive a severance payment of £7.5m after only signing a new contract this past summer.
While The Sun state that the Glazers are keen to replace Solskjaer with former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, 90min understands that Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers is ready to accept the job if and when United come calling.
The United board had been hoping to part ways with Solskjaer at the end of the season, but the need to find a new head coach is becoming clearer by the week.
Mauricio Pochettino also has admirers at Old Trafford, but Rodgers remains their top target.