David Moyes is set to be sacked as manager of Manchester United, Goal UK reports.
The Glazer family has decided to dismiss the Scot just 11 months after he was appointed Sir Alex Ferguson's successor.
A United spokesperson has denied that Moyes has already been sacked, but Goal UK can report that his departure is "imminent". He is not expected to be in the dugout when United plays Norwich City at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Player-coach Ryan Giggs is expected to be placed in charge of the team until the end of the season, with the other members of the backroom team that Moyes brought with him from Everton - Steve Round, Phil Neville and Jimmy Lumsden - also set to leave the club. A permanent manager will then be appointed at the end of the season.
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The Glazers, the Americans who own the club, regarded Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Everton, United's 11th loss in all competitions since the turn of the year, as the final straw in what has been a catastrophic season.
Moyes signed a six-year contract last May in the wake of Sir Alex's retirement, but is soon likely to be told the news of his dismissal by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
It can hardly be a coincidence that the Glazers decided to pull the plug immediately after confirmation that United can no longer finish in the top four this season.
The U.S.-based owners have learned from the senior executives based in the UK of the widespread disaffection of senior players and the United hierarchy believe dressing room unrest, coupled with a season of disastrous results, has made Moyes' position untenable.
United is set to become the equal worst defending champions in Premier League history, matching the seventh place finish of Ray Harford’s Blackburn Rovers in 1996. It is also likely to fail to qualify for the Europa League next season.
The United board has stood by Moyes following several disastrous results, most notably the home defeats last month to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. But the scorelines have been matched by equally deflating performances, and the pressure on Moyes has grown thanks to persistent rumours of discontent in the dressing room.
Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez and Giggs, who has been marginalized despite his apparently senior role, are all believed to be unhappy with Moyes and the staff he brought with him from Everton.
The United matchday fans have remained broadly supportive of Moyes, but anger has grown at what they perceive to be a negative style of play and the manager's continual failure to arrest the slump, particularly against high-quality opposition.
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