Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has finally been booted from the Manchester United hot seat.
Saturday’s 4-1 Premier League away loss to Watford was the final nail in the Norwegian’s coffin.
A teary farewell video later and the coach’s duration at the helm came to its conclusion.
He has left the mess to Michael Carrick to sort out until United can locate an interim manager.
Not only that, but another of Solskjaer’s parting gifts is several of the players he signed whilst still in charge.
Below, we have ranked the former striker’s acquisitions as the Old Trafford chief, from worst to best:
Facundo Pellistri
Signed from Penarol last October for £9m (Sky Sports), Facundo Pellistri’s move to United raised a few eyebrows.
Those eyebrows were raised even further when the teenager was loaned out to Alaves in January, having failed to make a competitive first-team appearance for Solskjaer.
Pellistri is still at Alaves, where he’s played 12 times this season.
Tom Heaton
Like Pellistri, Tom Heaton is towards the tail end of this list due to his lack of game time for Solskjaer’s side.
The only occasion the goalkeeper has appeared for United following his summer switch from Aston Villa was during pre-season.
Amad Diallo
Injuries have prevented Amad Diallo from exploding upon the English scene.
A lot of excitement swirled around his £19m (BBC) transfer from Atalanta. However, the hype hasn’t yet been fulfilled.
Diallo has played eight times for United’s seniors, none of which have occurred this term, due to a thigh problem.
Donny van de Beek
Perhaps the most regrettable recruitment of Solskjaer’s tenure, Donny van de Beek avoids being in last place because he’s actually featured for United.
But you wouldn’t know it, based on the Dutchman’s record for the Red Devils.
Just five times the midfielder has started in the league since he left Ajax last September in a deal worth £35m (BBC), a fee that is yet to be repaid.
Jadon Sancho
Another, even more expensive mistake, is the arrival of Jadon Sancho.
For so long, United chased after the England international and they finally landed him for £73m (Sky Sports), stealing their prime target off Borussia Dortmund.
United’s chiefs might be scrambling for the receipt after Sancho’s awful start to the campaign.
Zero goals or assists in 14 outings; ouch.
Odion Ighalo
Odion Ighalo didn’t hang around long after being signed by Solskjaer on loan last February, yet provided a few moments of joy.
He scored in successive 5-0 Europa League wins in 2019/20, plus netted twice on the road against Derby County in the FA Cup.
Raphael Varane
There is a sense that when Raphael Varane gets up and running, he will become a fine piece of legacy left behind by Solskjaer.
Unfortunately, the 28-year-old’s engine continues to overheat, as repeated trips to the treatment table have prevented him from lift-off.
Alex Telles
Luke Shaw can probably thank Porto for selling Alex Telles last year for £15.4m (Sky Sports).
It was the Brazilian’s arrival that promoted Shaw to revive his career and become one of the country’s finest full-backs.
Telles meanwhile has been a decent debutant, if not a slightly inconsistent one.
Daniel James
Daniel James’ United tenure was over in a flash, which is rather suitable considering the Welshman’s lightening speed.
Just over two years after joining Solskjaer’s squad, the pacey attacker left Manchester for their bitter rival Leeds United in August.
Despite bridging the divide, James can call upon some fond memories in a red jersey.
The goal against Chelsea on his debut; featuring in three semi-finals and a final; winning the club’s 2019 Player of the Month award for September.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
It’s safe to say Aaron Wan-Bissaka has made the right-back slot his own at the Theatre of Dreams.
Granted, he’s largely been unchallenged for the role and United have attempted to bolster the position in the form of Kieran Trippier.
But Wan-Bissaka continues to prove he is one of the division’s top tacklers and one of England’s brightest talents.
Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire is enduring a rough patch in form, yet the good times surely must outweigh the bad.
He was amongst the division’s finest centre-backs last term and it showed when he was out injured how much United missed their captain.
Edinson Cavani
The fact Solskjaer managed to land Edinson Cavani as a free agent make his Paris Saint-Germain departure even sweeter.
Even though he is only a few months shy of his 35th birthday, the Uruguayan has shown the desire and commitment of a hungry youth player.
17 goals across all competitions in his first spell isn’t bad for an old-timer.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Speaking of veterans, there appears to be no creaking bones in the body of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Nine goals already upon his return to United, CR7 is simply relentless (even if the Portuguese’s pressing leaves a lot to be desired).
Bruno Fernandes
Arguably Bruno Fernandes was the player who transported United from European hopefuls to possible title challengers.
Of course, Solskjaer’s old side no longer fits into the latter category.
However, Fernandes’ efforts throughout the joyful period should not be forgotten.
Also, 77 goal contributions (44 goals and 33 assists) in 97 matches is a simply stunning tally for a midfielder.
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