Manchester United finally sacked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday following a shocking run of form.
The Red Devils have won just one of their last seven Premier League games to slip to eighth in the table, despite boasting the biggest wage bill in the division.
Solskjaer was given all the tools he needed to do the job - but couldn't motivate his players to success, failing to win a trophy during his three years in charge.
The Norwegian suffered some humiliating defeats during his last few weeks at Old Trafford, including a 5-0 drubbing against Liverpool and an uninspiring 2-0 loss to Manchester City.
The final straw was United's 4-1 hammering against Watford on Saturday, with Solskjaer's players failing to show any desire against the relegation-threatened club.
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"Could the players have done more? 100 per cent," said United legend and current Derby manager Wayne Rooney.
"I was so disappointed watching that game at Watford. As a manager you know you can set the team up, prepare, shape them but there is no excuse for some of them performances.
"None at all. I’ve seen players waving their arms around, giving the ball away, blaming other people. It’s not acceptable. I’d be very angry if that was my players doing that.
"When you look at a club like Manchester United it is one of, if not the, biggest club. Those players are in a privileged position to play for them.
"With the players they have, they have to show more... That is the least you expect as a fan. Results may vary but you have to at least be willing to put the effort in.
"I remember Sir Alex Ferguson saying to me, 'The hardest thing to do in life is to work hard every day.' Whatever you're doing, it's so true."
And Fergie's mentality wasn't lost on Solskjaer, either. When the Norwegian was given the United job on a permanent basis in March 2019, he wanted his players to be the "hardest-working" and "fittest" in the Premier League.
"I’m happy to be here because it’s what I’ve always wanted to do," said Solskjaer at the time. "As a striker you always have to be an optimist and I hoped things would work out.
"I’m not sure proud is the right word though, because we are only at the beginning of something new, the hard work starts here.
"I want Manchester United to be the hardest-working team in the league and among the fittest. The players know my expectations."
United's lack of effort for Solskjaer was also noticed by the Premier League's record scorer Alan Shearer. "They've stopped running for the manager," the ex-striker claimed on Match of the Day after United's defeat to Watford.
"They’ve stopped playing for the manager and when you have a player coming out saying they don’t know what to do, well that is the manager.
"But the players can go out and have effort and attitude so that tells you what they think of the manager. That’s not the first time we’ve seen players stop running for the manager and it won’t be the last time."
Solskjaer's dismissal at Old Trafford ends his turbulent time in charge and his dream of winning trophies as a United manager.
"I don’t look back too much on what I achieved as a player, I always prefer to look forward," added the coach in March 2019.
"But obviously I enjoyed my time playing for United and I was quite successful. If I can leave here as a successful manager I’ll be happier still.
"I think bringing success in the form of trophies to this club and its supporters would count as an even bigger achievement."
