Man Utd gave 'assurances' to Ronaldo's agent over Solskjaer sack decision

Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes was given 'assurances' about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking in the aftermath of Manchester United's defeat against Watford on Saturday.

The 4-1 humiliating defeat at the hands of Claudio Ranieri's side signalled the end of Solskjaer's reign as United boss.

United are now down in eighth in the Premier League, six points behind fourth placed West Ham, and 12 behind leaders Chelsea.

The result means United have won just four games in their previous 13, which included two disappointing defeats against bitter rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

And according to The Athletic, Mendes phoned United's hierarchy after the game where he was told the issue over Solskjaer's future was being dealt with accordingly.

Mendes' client, Ronaldo, had, it's claimed, lost faith in Solskjaer's ability to bring trophies to the club, while Bruno Fernandes is another who is said to have grown disillusioned with the Norwegian's reign.

The same report says Mendes had been speaking with United's directors for at least two weeks prior to Solskjaer's sacking, where he recommended Julen Lopetegui as his potential successor.

Lopetegui - who has been at LaLiga side Sevilla since 2019 - is responsible for knocking United out of the Europa League in the 2019-20 campaign, a competition they went on to win that season.

The former Spain and Real Madrid boss remains an option to take over the managerial post at Old Trafford, but quite who will win the race is not yet clear at present.

Ex-Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is also being tipped for the hotseat at Old Trafford after leaving Los Blancos for the second time in the summer, although some reports suggest the 49-year-old has ruled himself out of the race.

Another is former Spurs and now PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino, who continues to be linked with the post.

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The Guardian say Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers and Luis Enrique - who currently manages the Spain national team - are also being considered.

For now though, Michael Carrick - who is already on the club's coaching staff - will become the interim manager for the next few games at least.

Carrick will take charge of United's important trip to El Madrigal to face Villarreal in the Champions League, as well as their visit to face Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Speaking after the game against Watford, Solskjaer admitted the defeat was an embarrassing one to take.

"The results are not good enough, we know that," he said.

"We've gone 30 games unbeaten away from home and now we've lost two on the bounce and conceded four goals in both of them, so of course something's wrong.

"I feel for the fans and I feel the same as them - we're embarrassed by losing the way we do.

"We know we are in a very bad run and a bad situation, but that's football and I know they'll support whoever is on the pitch every day, and sometimes you've got to say sorry."