Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recalled when he knew his tenure was ending

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer realised his time as Manchester United manager had reached its end at half-time during his final match in charge. While Michael Carrick is expected to remain at the helm for United's next game following their abysmal loss to Como, Solskjaer was conscious that his reign had ended as the club slumped to a 4-1 defeat against Watford in November 2021.

The former United striker was at the helm of the Red Devils for nearly three years. Much like Carrick, the 53-year-old initially served as an interim coach before being appointed permanently.

Carrick experienced initial success as he steered United to a third-place finish in the table, but his spell has reached a low with a chastening 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League. The United boss has secured just two victories from 11 matches so far this term, and his team are without a win in seven.

The 45-year-old apologetically gestured towards travelling United supporters following the final whistle in Como. Despite the setback, Carrick is expected to oversee the team against Bournemouth on Sunday. However, Solskjaer knew he would not receive a comparable opportunity after watching his side struggle throughout the opening 45 minutes against Watford in 2021, with United trailing 2-0 at half-time.

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"Nobody told me, but I knew at half-time against Watford," United icon Solskjaer recalled to The Athletic in 2023. "We didn't look like a Man United team; the players weren't running for each other.

"At half-time, I told the players it was probably going to be the last time we worked together and to play with pride. We almost turned it around, until Harry Maguire got sent off."

In the immediate wake of the defeat, Solskjaer was swift to offer his apologies to United supporters for his side's showing, akin to Carrick's recent reaction. "I feel for the fans. I feel the same as the fans," Solskjaer said at the time.

"We're embarrassed losing the way we do. We are in a very bad run and bad situation. But that is part of football. I know they will support the team and the players on the pitch every single day. Sometimes you have to say sorry, and that was a sorry for the performance."

Solskjaer was dismissed by United the day after his side's 4-1 thrashing at Vicarage Road. Carrick, who had served as part of the Norwegian's coaching staff throughout his tenure, delivered a strikingly similar message to supporters following the demoralising loss to Como.

"I have to apologise to the supporters," Carrick said. "I went over to the end, and I care about this football club as much as anyone, if not more, with the position that I'm in and what I value this football club. For us to play in that way, it's not acceptable. It wasn't a good performance at all."

The United boss added: "We might win, we might lose, but the way we went about it tonight, I wouldn't say everyone, but the way we went about it in some ways tonight wasn't acceptable. And I just wanted to let the fans know that I feel for them, for sure."

Carrick will be hoping his team can deliver a positive reaction against Bournemouth as his position comes under mounting pressure. United will seek to halt their winless streak on Sunday, with the club set to welcome the Cherries to Old Trafford.