Manchester United sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - and announce who will replace him for 'forthcoming games'

Manchester United have sacked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The "difficult decision" was taken "with regret", the club said, adding that the former striker, who scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final, will "always be a legend" at Old Trafford.

Current club coach Michael Carrick will take charge of "forthcoming games" until bosses appoint an "interim manager to the end of the season".

Those being mentioned as possible successors include Leicester City manager Brendan Rogers, former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, and Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Spain boss Luis Enrique would be Cristiano Ronaldo's choice, Sky Sports News reported. Enrique won the treble with Barcelona in 2015.

In the early stages of the season, things were looking positive for United. They swept Leeds away 5-1 in their opening game and re-signed Ronaldo at the end of August.

But recent results have been disappointing, with yesterday's 4-1 thrashing at newly promoted Watford being described by goalkeeper David de Gea as "embarrassing" and "another nightmare".

It was United's fifth defeat in 12 Premier League games this season and leaves them in 7th place - 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.

Late last month they were thrashed 5-0 at home by Liverpool, with pundits wondering then whether Solskjaer's time was up.

Then, earlier this month, they lost at home to another key rival - Manchester City leaving Old Trafford with a 2-0 victory.

Former club captain Gary Neville said Solskjaer's dismissal had "been coming for the last few weeks" and described the performance at Watford as "wimpish".

He added: "The team have looked all over the place (and) the defending is absolutely woeful."

But the players must "take responsibility" too, Neville said.

After the Watford game, his fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher described Solskjaer's position as "untenable" and said the performance of the players had been "scandalous".

Regarding the club hierarchy, Neville said they had not "planned or prepared for this" and it had "deteriorated so badly and so quickly".

Former United striker Wayne Rooney has distanced himself from returning in a coaching capacity.

"It's always sad when a manager loses his job, especially a former team-mate of mine," the Derby County manager told Sky Sports after his side's 3-2 win over Bournemouth on Sunday. "I feel for Ole."

He added that he is "committed" to Derby "until I'm told otherwise".

Solskjaer, 48, did not win any trophies during his three years in charge, losing four of five semi-finals and the single final his team made it to in that period.

In a statement, Manchester United said the Norwegian, who signed a new three-year deal in July, had "left his role as manager".

It added: "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."

The statement continued: "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.

"He will forever be welcome back at Old Trafford as part of the Manchester United family."

Solskjaer was almost universally credited with stabilising the club after he took over from Jose Mourinho in late 2018.

He led United to second in the league last season, overhauled a beleaguered squad, and revived the form of key players including Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba.

But he has been widely criticised for his handling of some players, particularly Dutch international Donny van de Beek - who has played very little despite the team's well-documented weakness in midfield.