While there are suggestions that Ruben Amorim's comments at Sunday's press conference triggered his axing, the verdict was clear given his under-performance in the hot seat.
The 44-year-old inherits a team in crisis, sitting seventh in the Premier League table -- a whopping 17 points behind leaders Arsenal -- and eliminated from both domestic cups.
Manchester United have turned to one of their own, appointing their former midfielder Michael Carrick to steady the ship as interim manager until the season's end, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.
Defending champions India look to do something they have never done in World Cups and retain the trophy.
Arsenal's Premier League title prospects were enhanced without them even kicking a ball on Wednesday as their closest challengers Manchester City and Aston Villa both dropped points.
Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu struck in the first half as Ruben Amorim's side held on for an ugly 1-0 victory over Newcastle United on Friday in the year's only Boxing Day fixture to climb to fifth place in the Premier League standings.
Carrick faces first test as United boss in Manchester derby showdown
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title. The 10th edition of the 20-overs global showpiece event will run from February 7 to March 8.
Manchester City blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday as a moment of magic by home forward Dominic Solanke handed Arsenal a huge Premier League title boost.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.
Al-Nassr top the standings and are two points clear of second-placed Al-Hilal. Al-Ahli are fourth on 25 points.
Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez scored a smash-and-grab goal deep in injury time to salvage a 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.
Arsenal closed out 2025 in emphatic fashion, smashing third-placed Aston Villa 4-1 on Tuesday to surge five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal took a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League after a scoreless draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
'We did a very good job that no one is going to remember tomorrow, because what matters is the result.'
Promoted Sunderland, who have defied expectations to stay in the top half of the Premier League table, could be the worst affected with six players going to the tournament, while the likes of Fulham, Manchester United, Burnley and Crystal Palace will also have to make do without some key personnel.
Namibia pulled off a shock four-wicket win over South Africa in a one-off Twenty20 international on Saturday that marked the opening of the new cricket stadium in Windhoek.
Manchester United missed the chance to go fifth in the Premier League when they were held 1-1 by West Ham United at Old Trafford on Thursday, a result which keeps the visitors in the relegation zone.
While Wolves are looking down, United are beginning to look up and while there were times in the first half when they looked vulnerable, their second-half display was silky.
IMAGES from the Premier League matches played on Sunday
While several teammates, including Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Neves, were among the mourners, Ronaldo was conspicuous by his absence.
Cristiano Ronaldo said he will retire "soon" and while he admits it will be difficult to bring his glittering career to an end the 40-year-old has been planning for his post-football life for some time.
It was a tough night for Ronaldo in his 50th World Cup qualifier as he struck the base of the post in the 17th minute with a left-footed snapshot from just inside the penalty box, with the rebound falling perfectly for Bernardo Silva who inexplicably scuffed his effort wide.
With a population of 156,000, Curacao is the least populous country to go to the World Cup, beating the previous record held by Iceland with its 350,000 inhabitants.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim would have enjoyed some relative calm during the international break after backing from club co-owner Jim Ratcliffe but will find himself in the Premier League maelstrom once again at Liverpool on Sunday.
Everton enjoyed their first Premier League win at Manchester United for 12 years despite playing virtually the entire game with 10 men.
Manchester City seized the opportunity of Arsenal's 2-1 loss at Aston Villa earlier in the day to climb within two points of the leaders.
Manchester United's season, already their worst in the Premier League, hit a new low with their 1-0 defeat to Spurs in that final in Bilbao that denied them a spot in this season's Champions League.
Sevilla ended defending champions Barcelona's unbeaten streak in the Spanish League with a crushing 4-1 defeat, in Madrid, on Sunday.
Pictures of the meet were splashed across social media as Indian captain Shubman Gill looked like a happy chappy meeting United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Spain secured their place at the 2026 World Cup after a nervy 2-2 draw with Turkey in Seville on Tuesday.
Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez earned Chelsea a 2-0 victory at lowly Burnley on Saturday, a win that moved the Blues within three points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
In the last 10 games that United have played under Amorim's stewardship, they had lost six games, while under Gambhir, India have lost eight out of their last 11 Tests.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire struck a late header to seal a thrilling 2-1 Premier League victory over Liverpool on Sunday
Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on a five-year contract for 18.1 million pounds plus add-ons, according to British media reports.
Man City ease to 3-0 win over Liverpool as Guardiola celebrates 1,000th game in style
Ruben Amorim apologised to Manchester United supporters after his reign reached a new low with a humiliating elimination from the League Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town on Wednesday.
Bruno Fernandes milestone and late drama lift Manchester United past Chelsea with a chaotic 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford
The move came after Manchester-born Rashford, who made 426 senior appearances and scored 138 goals for United in all competitions, fell out of favour with manager Ruben Amorim.
Bryan Mbeumo hit new heights in the 2024-25 league season, finishing with 20 goals to help Brentford to a solid 10th-place finish.
