MANCHESTER UNITED have now lost five out of their last seven matches after a 4-1 defeat at Watford.
In the latest humiliation for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Harry Maguire was sent off as the Hornets dominated at Vicarage Road.
According to reports in Germany, target Zinedine Zidane has told United that he wants to wait until summer before moving back into management.
However, former France team-mate Emmanuel Petit says he understands that the ex-Real Madrid boss is currently learning English.
And SunSport can exclusively reveal Jesse Lingard is eyeing a switch to West Ham after rejecting new terms with the Red Devils.
Follow all the latest Man Utd news, transfer and gossip from Old Trafford below…
- Jon Boon
SACK RACE
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is huge 1/5 favourite to be the next manager sacked in the Premier League following the 4-1 defeat to Watford.
That's according to bookmakers Betfair who've priced Solskjaer at 1/5 to be the SIXTH Premier League boss of the campaign to leave their position.
Next manager sacked odds – Betfair
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 1/5
- Claudio Ranieri: 13/2
- Rafa Benitez: 8/1
- Brendan Rodgers: 12/1
- Marcelo Bielsa: 16/1
- Ralph Hasenhuttl: 20/1
- Dean Smith: 20/1
- Eddie Howe: 25/1
- Thomas Frank: 33/1
- No Manager To Leave: 33/1
TURMOIL
At the full-time whistle, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was seen heading towards the away fans and holding his hands up as an apology.
His Man Utd side fell to a 4-1 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road, with Harry Maguire seeing red in the second half.
It's turmoil for the Red Devils, who are at their lowest ebb.
Bruno Fernandes had to pulled away by Fred from the away fans after exchanging angry words.
What next for Solskjaer?
PREM FULL-TIMES
Loads of goals today in the Prem. Here's all the results.
Villa 2-0 Brighton
Burnley 3-3 Crystal Palace
Newcastle 3-3 Brentford
Watford 4-1 Man Utd
Norwich 2-1 Southampton
Wolves 1-0 West Ham
- Jon Boon
WATFORD 3-1 MAN UTD
Game over at Vicarage Road.
Joao Pedro has sealed the points with a 92nd minute strike, with some doubts whether David De Gea could have done better.
Man United have been woeful today.
Will this spell the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign at Old Trafford?
Stay tuned this evening, it could be all change.
- Jon Boon
RED CARD
Man Utd's chances of a comeback have been dealt a massive blow.
On 69 minutes, captain Harry Maguire has been sent off for a second yellow card.
Down to 10 men and chasing the game, it could be curtains for the Red Devils.
And, perhaps, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who is under massive pressure now.
As Sir Alex Ferguson once coined, it's squeaky bum time.
- Jon Boon
WATFORD 2-1 MANCHESTER UNITED
The Red Devils are back in it!
Donny van de Beek, the forgotten man, has pulled one back and now Watford will be under pressure.
Could Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men deliver the great escape for their under pressure boss?
Time will tell!
- Kostas Lianos
WATFORD 2-0 MANCHESTER UNITED
Watford lead 2-0 against Manchester United at Vicarage Road following a brilliant first half.
Joshua King opened the scoring for the Hornets after 28 minutes.
And Ismaila Sarr doubled the host's lead just one minute before half-time.
Claudio Ranieri are seriously piling up the pressure for under-fire United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
- James Orr
HT: WATFORD 2-0 MAN UTD
It's been nothing short of a miserable half for under-pressure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as dominant Watford lead 2-0.
Sarr and King have been on the scoresheet for Watford, who have bossed it so far.
What a half-time team-talk Solskjaer has now…
- Kostas Lianos
GREENWOOD OUT
Mason Greenwood is going to miss Manchester United's Premier League clash against Watford at Vicarage Road.
Greenwood tested positive for coronavirus and needs to self-isolate for 10 days.
The striker is among many Premier League personalities who have contracted COVID-19 in recent days.
Kevin De Bruyne is also sidelined as is new Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
- Kostas Lianos
WATFORD VS MAN UTD XI
Watford: 1 Foster, 6 Louza, 7 King, 8 Cleverley, 11 Masina, 13 Nkoulou, 15 Cathcart, 19 Sissoko, 21 Femenia, 23 Sarr, 23 Dennis
Man Utd XI: 1 De Gea; 29 Wan-Bissaka, 2 Lindelof, 5 Maguire, 23 Shaw; 31 Matic, 39 McTominay, 18 Fernandes; 10 Rashford, 25 Sancho, 7 Ronaldo
- Kostas Lianos
'GIVE ME CRISTIANO'
Watford manager Claudio Ranieri has hilariously slammed suggestions that Cristiano Ronaldo makes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's life harder at Manchester United.
The Hornets hosts United at Vicarage Road later today in the Premier League.
Reports suggest Ronaldo is making things harder for Solskjaer as he piles pressure by insisting the team should be performing much better.
Asked if the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's presence is causing problems for his former team-mate, Ranieri quipped: "Give me Cristiano, please. It's no problem."
- Kostas Lianos
WATFORD TEAM NEWS
Watford host Manchester United at Vicarage Road in the Premier League.
Hornets manager Claudio Ranieri is waiting on Ozan Tufan, who faces a late fitness test, after suffering a knock while on international duty with Turkey.
Francisco Sierralta also sustained a hamstring injury while in action with Chile and will miss out.
Christian Kabasele (hamstring) and Ken Sema (knee) remain sidelined, while Juraj Kucka is suspended
- Kostas Lianos
MAN UTD TEAM NEWS
Manchester United visit Watford at Vicarage Road in the Premier League later today.
Under-fire manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is facing quite a few uncertainties regarding players' fitness.
Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay withdrew from England and Scotland duty respectively.
Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford did not join up with Uruguay and the Three Lions respectively due to injury concerns.
Raphael Varane remains out with a hamstring strain and Paul Pogba, who is still suspended, faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after getting hurt during Les Bleus' training
- Kostas Lianos
EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United ace Jesse Lingard looks to be on his way back to West Ham in the New Year in a £10million move, reports SunSport's Neil Custis.
Lingard has already begun making personal arrangements for the permanent move back to east London.
The winger rejected a new contract offer by United in early September and has barely figured in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans recently.
The England international enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Hammers in the second half of last season and manager David Moyes wanted to sign him
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
REAL DEAL
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane would add pleasant training sessions at Manchester United and get the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo if he replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Zidane's long-time assistant David Bettoni told RMC Sport's show After Foot: "We were talking about principles of the game, how to get the ball played, different organisation of the team.
"But, above all, the phrase that always came to mind with Zidane was: 'I want the notion of pleasure to be in all exercises'.
"He also added that he wanted the players, when they got home, to have the desire to return to training. It is the first word that marked me from Zizou.
"I can simply say that what I have lived with him is reality. It is true that Zidane is an atypical coach, [he] is not someone who talks a lot to the media.
"And this is because he is like that and does not play a role of being a character playing the discreet. He has always been like this.
"Afterwards, we also felt that he was someone who had been a great player, who had been trained by great coaches and who told himself that he wanted to be a coach, so he prepared a lot for it.
"He had a knowledge of football that made him make decisions, the tactic was reserved for his staff and the players."
- Kostas Lianos
ZIN-GLISH LESSONS
Zinedine Zidane is learning English, according to former team-mate Emmanuel Petit amid reports linking him with the Manchester United manager's job.
Petit told booksmakers.co.uk: “If you are a manager of a football club you need to speak different languages.
"I know Zinedine speaks different languages but I’m pretty sure English is not one of them.
“There are so many examples of wrong decisions in football – not necessarily the wrong decision about someone’s ability, but about the dressing room being a right fit given all the different nationalities.
“Communication is very important, so if you do not speak the language when you arrive at a club like Manchester United, that could be a big problem.
“I’ve been told that he has been learning English recently, so I think he knows it’s important for his career, but Zinedine being linked with Manchester United – I don’t believe it, to be honest.
“Of course, he’s a big name but he never played in the Premier League and has very little connection with it, so as I said, I don’t believe it.”
- Kostas Lianos
KAR-IED AWAY
Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes he "overstepped the mark" with his criticism of Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius.
Neville was previously critical of Karius in 2016 when he made a crucial mistake that led to Bournemouth beating the Reds 4-3.
He told the Mail: "I think I have overstepped the mark once in punditry when I have attacked a player that was above and beyond what I should have done as an ex-pro, a coach and an owner.
"I think I am a respectable human being. I thought I went too far on Karius. I said Liverpool would never win the league with him.
"He criticised me after and so did Jurgen Klopp. No problem. I look back now and think I criticised the lad too much for his age, his position.
"I actually think I was right. They signed Alisson and [Virgil] van Dijk and won it [the Premier League]. But that doesn't mean I should have done it.
"I think Gary Neville as a decent human being and professional – knowing how difficult it is to play for United and Liverpool – went too far"
- Kostas Lianos
WES SIDE STORY
Chelsea have resumed talks with Leicester star and Manchester United target Wesley Fofana ahead of a potential summer transfer.
That is according to Footmercato, who report that the Blues are eyeing Fofana as four key centre-backs are out of contract in the summer.
Those are Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and club captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
The west Londoners, however, would face stiff competition from a host of top European clubs, including United and Real Madrid who are also keen on the Frenchman
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
SOL SEARCHING
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has held crisis talks with six stars.
According to the Mail, Solskjaer rallied his troops in a 10am meeting on Thursday to talk through matters at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matjc attended the meeting.
The Norwegian head coach reportedly wanted to brainstorm how United could turn their fortunes around, as well as discuss tactical changes
- Etienne Fermie
MORNING, UNITED FANS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can draw the sting from his critics with victory at the Hornets this afternoon.
The Manchester United boss still believes he is backed by the board and fans.
But the Red Devils won just one of their last six Premier League games before the international break.
And Solskjaer is 4/7 favourite to be the next Prem manager sacked.
Leicester chief Brendan Rodgers leads the betting to succeed Solskjaer at 8/1.Zinedine Zidane is 6/1, Mauricio Pochettino 11/1 and Cristiano Ronaldo not a complete outsider at 25/1.
Solskjaer said: “Fans are still supporting the team and the club, they’ve been through this period, backed the team through the rebuild.
“When you lose a game you’re always disappointed and under pressure, we’ve been communicating openly and honestly."
Main man Cristiano Ronaldo has urged United to dig deeper than ever to get back on track.
The Portugal striker posted on social media: “Time to roll up the sleeve once again and just get the job done!"
Meanwhile, Jesse Lingard used Instagram to make a huge hint he’s heading to former loan club West Ham after contract talks with United collapsed.
The £10million-rated England midfielder is tipped for a £10million permanent departure in January.
Old Trafford legend Rio Ferdinand has urged the Red Devils to do ‘what ever it takes’ to sign England midfielder Jude Bellingham, 18, from Borussia Dortmund.
Finally, thigh-injury victim Paul Pogba has again updated fans on social media about his recovery from Dubai, saying the clock is ticking on his recovery.
- Ian Tuckey
BREAK WAS NO OLE-DAY
If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thought he was going to get away from it all with his short break to Norway, he was wrong, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
The trials and tribulations of the Premier League’s most under pressure manager followed him back to Molde, where life must have seemed much simpler when he was in charge there.
Accompanied by his wife and two sons, the idea was to freshen up for the battle ahead. It is doubtful how relaxing it must have been as Solskjaer analysed United’s troubled run.
He kept in touch with the coaching staff left behind, studied the players on TV while they were on international duty and went through the stats and footage from United’s humiliating home defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City.
Solskjaer said: “No, you can’t break off. You never do. You live and breathe football.
“You switch your phone off for a few hours and spend time with your family but you watch your players on the international stage. You analyse your own games, which we’ve gone through in detail.
“The technology helps so we can still keep in touch if we’re not in the same room or on the same continent so we’ve worked hard on a few priorities.
“The staff are incredible 24-7, they work to improve the state of the team and when we came back on Monday everyone was ready to have a good week.”
- Ian Tuckey
OLE: MAGUIRE CAN PROVE KEANE WRONG
Under-pressure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Harry Maguire to prove Roy Keane wrong.
The Manchester United boss yesterday defended himself, the team and most notably his captain ahead of today’s trip to Watford.
Keane labelled Maguire ‘embarrassing’ and a ‘disgrace to Man United’ after cupping his ears to the crowd following his goal for England against Albania.
But Solskjaer said: “His family, his club we are all very happy with him and all back him and he’s such a top professional and he’s going to prove critics wrong.
“The so-called experts have their opinions and that’s their job to put their opinion that’s not something we have to worry too much about.
“As a true example of a Man United player Harry is always there for his team and his country.”
- Ian Tuckey
JESSE HINTS AT WEST HAM RETURN
Jesse Lingard posted a huge hint he's heading back to West Ham after Manchester United contract talks collapsed.
SunSport revealed earlier on Friday the England midfielder is poised for a £10million return in January following loan success with the Hammers last season.
And Lingard, who will be 29 next month, put up an Instagram photo of himself celebrating two goals while in action for the Hammers.
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Jesse Lingard is still an important part of his squad
West Ham main man Declan Rice then sent anticipation spiralling further – with a snap of the pair rejoicing Lingard's wonder goal in a 3-2 win at Wolves in April.
Ahead of Saturday's clash, Three Lions' anchorman Rice wrote: "What a goal this was on our last trip to Molineux."
Lingard has already begun making personal arrangements for the switch down south after ten years at Old Trafford.
The 32-cap star turned down a new United deal in early September and has barely figured in boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans recently.
- Ian Tuckey
RIO: UTD NEED JUDE
Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to do ‘what ever it takes’ to sign England wonderkid Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
Midfielder Bellingham,18, has already been linked with a summer switch to Old Trafford.
And United legend Ferdinand believes the former Birmingham hero is the ideal player for now and especially the future.
- Ian Tuckey
RONALDO RALLYING CALL
Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Manchester United to dig deep to get back on track.
The Red Devils return to Premier League action at Watford tomorrow after six losses in 12 games.
And the United legend posted on social media: "Time to roll up the sleeve once again and just get the job done!
"Let's chase what we are trying to achieve this season."
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