Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was on Sunday sacked by Manchester United following a thrashing at the hands of Watford which left them 12 points off Premier League leaders Chelsea.
It brings to an end a miserable few weeks for Solskjaer and his players, who on Saturday conceded their 15th goal across five league games.
Michael Carrick will lead the team on a caretaker basis, supported by Mike Phelan and Kieran McKenna as assistants.
Analysing the developments on Sky Sports' Super Sunday was Gary Neville, Jamie Redknapp, Robbie Keane and Micah Richards.
Here is the full transcript of what the pundits had to say...
Gary Neville on Manchester United behind the scenes:
"I hope the problems are just the manager and that something hasn’t happened in that changing room in the last couple of months that has made them be as bad as they have and I hope they can pick themselves up under an interim manager.
"Obviously, Michael Carrick and then someone else in the next couple of weeks but that dressing room at this moment in time looks absolutely broken.
"They look drained of any confidence, the world is on their shoulders when they play and they’ve got to go back to thinking when they played as kids because it looks too much for them at the moment.
"I do worry how that dressing room has disintegrated. I’m a little worried how it got so bad so quickly because eight weeks ago it was euphoria in Manchester and literally eight weeks later it is a manager who has lost his job."
Gary Neville on Manchester United staffing:
"What the club have done over the last two or three years is invest heavily, not just in Ole’s coaching staff but in general around the football side of the club.
"I suspect the appointment that they make will have to fit into that because it would be a big roundabout turn for them to go back on all those people they’ve employed.
"They’ve employed an absolute army of people in recruitment, in coaching, in technical director side, the sporting director side. All questions will be asked in the next few weeks.
"I’m not sure or convinced that Manchester United have got the right football people at the club to deliver them success but the appointment of the next manager will tell us that."
Gary Neville on PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino:
"I think Pochettino has always been a standout candidate. He’s been the only name I’ve really ever mentioned as someone who I’ve thought really suits Manchester United in terms of its core principles, values, how they play, how he acts and how he behaves.
"He hasn’t really been successful as a manager in terms of proven but I do think he has those characteristics and attributes. It’s too early to talk about a new manager, there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge."
Micah Richards on United not going for Antonio Conte:
"I don’t agree why he [Neville] wouldn’t go for Conte. He’s a serial winner. He’s won the title in previous seasons in different countries and we talk about bringing the Manchester United values.
"Forget the values for a minute, it’s about winning games. You have Ronaldo, Pogba, Fernandes, all of those players, Sancho, something has got to give and Ole wasn’t getting the best out of those players.
"We’ve seen what Conte can do, he’s proven. I don’t understand why he wouldn’t be in the mix for Manchester United. Yes, he’s a Spurs manager right now but there was a window where they could’ve got him so I don’t quite understand that."
Jamie Redknapp on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and top four:
"When you look at what Liverpool have got - Klopp. Manchester City - Guardiola. Chelsea - Tuchel. And you have got a manager who has managed at Molde and Cardiff, at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"It isn’t right, you’re almost fighting with one hand behind your back in the big occasions and I never really felt he is the right fit. I said at the time it’s going to be like shooting Bambi and that is what it feels like because this should’ve happened ages ago. I understand what Gary said about Conte but like you [Micah] said, Conte has won the title five out of his last seven seasons.
"Manchester United right now are the same as everyone else, they’re in the rat race just trying to win games, just trying to win titles. Before they got Sir Alex Ferguson they hadn’t won the title in 30 years.
"Liverpool had to find a manager for 30 years, 30 years it took them to win the league. They couldn’t get anyone, they found the best in Jurgen Klopp. Now, for Manchester United it might take that long again.
"It might take another ten, 15, years but patience is going to be the key right now because I don’t think anyone has a clue what they’re doing. I genuinely look at that Manchester United board and think what is your plan right now because there can’t be one. Zidane’s out there, is he the right coach? I'm not sure. Brendan Rodgers has had a mention. Pochettino.
"Gary [Neville] makes a great point, you’re going to wait for a manager that might be a failure. You need to get the best in class if you’re Manchester United and to have Ole has a manager has never felt a right fit for me and watching him he’s nice, shaking everyone's hand after the game - you’ve just been beaten 4-1, get your players in the dressing room and tell them how diabolical they’ve been."
Robbie Keane on Mauricio Pochettino to Manchester United :
"Why would Pochettino leave Paris Saint Germain at this present time? You have Mbappe, you’ve got Neymar, you’ve got Messi. United are at a level where they weren’t a few years ago where they were the top, top team in this country.
"Massive club but in terms of where they are now in the last three or four years, they haven’t been the United we’ve known for the last 15 to 20 years. I think Ole was just a stop-gap. He’s a lovely guy and full credit to United for the statement they released - club legend. Pochettino, he hasn’t won anything yet but he’s clearly going to win the league with PSG.
"I think they’re 12, 15, points clear but would he leave PSG now to come to United? The only reason he would leave is to come back to the Premier League. I would say Zidane; he’s out there, he hasn’t got a job, he’s worked with Ronaldo, worked with Varane and he knows them inside out. He’s won the Champions League with them. He is the standout candidate."
Gary Neville on Manchester United waiting for the right boss:
"Absolutely they should wait. There has been no one available in the last three or four weeks when this has come to a head. I’ve got no doubt about Antonio Conte’s qualities as a manager but this club wouldn’t appoint him [Man City, pointing to the Etihad].
"Man City would never appoint Conte, they’d never appoint Jose Mourinho. Manchester United have had that experience of appointing what would be those hit-job managers. He [Conte] was never going to be appointed [at United] and they need to make sure they get the next one right.
"I think Pochettino would leave to join Manchester United on a five-year deal tomorrow. I think he would look at that group of players, look at the club and realise that he would be able to achieve more of what he wants at Manchester United in terms of a project. I think Mauricio Pochettino would absolutely come to Manchester United on a five year deal with obviously backing behind him."
Gary Neville on Manchester United's season:
"We shouldn’t write off this season for Manchester United yet. I still believe a lot can be achieved this season in terms of trying to win a trophy, doing well in the Champions League, getting back up that league and challenging as far up the top as they possibly can.
"From my point of view, they need to appoint someone who can do a good job this season but get their long term target ready for the summer, whoever that may be.
"They need to get that right this time. I think Ole has set the ship off in the right direction, I just hope the next manager can continue in that direction."
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