Sunderland on Saturday sacked manager Martin O'Neill, just hours after a 1-0 defeat to Premier League leader Manchester United pushed it closer to the relegation trapdoor.

"Sunderland AFC has announced that it has parted company with manager Martin O'Neill this evening," read a club statement. "The club would like to place on record its thanks to Martin and wishes him well for the future. An announcement will be made in the coming days regarding a successor."

The 61-year-old Northern Irishman was in charge at the Stadium of Light for just 16 months, having succeeded Steve Bruce in December 2011.