Manchester United are officially in the market for a new manager, having sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Watford. The club hadn’t been in the greatest of form going into the international break, but the Norwegian had one last chance to get a result against a team just promoted back to the Premier League this. Ultimately, that didn’t happen, and the club felt it needed to take action now.

It ends a very eventful three-year period for Solskjaer, who was brought on as an interim manager in December 2018 after Jose Mourinho was let go. His two full seasons with United ended with top-three finishes in the Premier League, and deep runs into most cup competitions, but none ended with any silverware. For a club like Manchester United, the fact that it’s been eight years since the last EPL title, and no indication that any trophies will come this year, the wait feels even longer.

There were multiple questions in early 2019 regarding Solskjaer’s elevation from interim to permanent manager. When he took over, the understanding was that he would finish out the 2018-19 season before a new manager was appointed. However, the club went on a tear over the next few months, including a memorable comeback over PSG in the Champions League round of 16. That gave the board justification to appoint Ole as manager full-time; a decision made more out of emotion.

There’s no debating Solskjaer’s legacy at Old Trafford. The fact that he graciously gave a post-firing interview with the club’s in-house television station is enough of an example. He will always be adored by United fans for his performances as a player, especially when he scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League Final. But if that was truly the top item on his resume for why he should be permanent manager, it again illustrates the board choosing to make a decision based on emotion.

Now Michael Carrick, another former player, will oversee the club’s next two games – at Villarreal in the Champions League and then a trip to Premier League leaders Chelsea; executives then say they’ll have another interim manager to see out the rest of the season. But what if United win both games this upcoming week, or go on another win streak later in the year, will the board stick with their original plan?

If they don’t, expect United to be in the same position in about two years.