MICHAEL CARRICK has opened up on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ’emotional’ Manchester United sacking.
The former Red Devils midfielder assisted Solskjaer for three years at Old Trafford.
He now steps into the breach as caretaker boss, following the Norwegian’s dismissal yesterday.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Villarreal, Carrick said: “First of all it’s been an emotional time for everyone at club. I worked with Ole for three years and known him for a lot longer.
“Knowing the person that he is, the values that he has, how he treats people. To see him lose his job was tough for me and a lot of people at the club. I think you can tell from the emotion yesterday what he meant to everyone.
“Results are everything, as much as you build the right environment you don’t get what you deserve. A massive thank you from us all.”
Meanwhile, captain Harry Maguire says all the Manchester United players are enduring the toughest time of their careers.
A shocking run of one win from seven league games that included thumpings at the hands of Liverpool, Manchester City and Watford resulted in Solskjaer losing his job.
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Maguire has been culpable in the season’s collapse with some awful performances culminating in his red card in the shocking 4-1 defeat away to Watford on Saturday.
And Maguire said: “You look at the players at this football club and it is probably the toughest time of their careers at club level.
“The players need to take a big responsibility for everything on and off the field.
“We have not been good enough as individuals or collectively.
“We were in it together as a group, the manager and the players and the manager has paid the price.
“It has been a hard time for us as players because of the amount of respect we had for the boss and what he has done for us.
“We have been on a journey together and it is never nice when someone loses their job.”
Maguire admitted it had been an emotional day on Sunday when Solskjaer gathered the players together to say his farewell but also to wish them the best for the crucial game away to Villarreal in the Champions League.
Everyone has a huge amount of respect for Ole, he is a legend at this club and will remain a legend
Harry Maguire
He said: “He came and spoke to us and with the emotion around the place it was difficult to be in.
“Everyone has a huge amount of respect for Ole, he is a legend at this club and will remain a legend.
“He told us we need to get back on track and get focussed for the Villarreal game and go into it with a positive mindset.
“He said he would be supporting us in every game which just shows the values of the man.”
Maguire says now is the time to get the club back on track starting with the key Group F game with Spanish side Villarreal.
He said: “Now we have to look forward and get this club back to where it was in the last two years.
“We have got to move this club forward and find something from within ourselves and go and produce a performance for this club.”
Meanwhile, Villarreal coach Unai Emery has sympathy for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his departure from Manchester United.
The two teams share the lead in their Champions League group on seven points with two games remaining.
Emery said: “As a coach, you don’t welcome the news that a colleague has lost his job. I have a lot of respect for Solskjaer because of his playing and coaching career. I’ve faced Solskjaer several times and above all, I value him as a great person.
“When there’s a coaching change, there’s a reaction one way or another. The focus will be more on the players than on the bench.
“The players know, even though they are professional and must always deliver, that they have to show their faces, for Manchester (United), for the coach that left and the one that has arrived or will come. I expect a very good Manchester United because of their players and the significance of this game.”