#OleIn – Confirmation that Solskjaer is going nowhere

Robin Bairner

4 Oct 2021 20:47 BST
3 min read

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United, 2020/21 — © ProShots

Manchester United fans, strap yourselves in because Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be going nowhere in the immediate future.

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Man Utd head into the October international break off the back of a string of disappointing results that have seen pressure mount on Solskjaer.

Since a thumping 4-1 win over Newcastle on 11 September, the Red Devils have struggled in their following six matches.

Over this period, they have lost to Young Boys in the Champions League, West Ham in the League Cup and Aston Villa in the Premier League. Meanwhile, they only just scrambled past West Ham when they met in the league and versus Villarreal in a critical European tie.

Their latest outing was a 1-1 draw against Everton, in which their guests to Old Trafford emerged with most credit.

New deal for Phelan

Man Utd, though, have thrown down their colours in favour of Solskjaer ahead of an intimidating run of fixtures that could easily see the club plummet down the standings if their form does not improve.

They did this by handing a new contract to assistant manager Mike Phelan, effectively delivering a concrete vote of confidence to Solskjaer, who himself had his contract extended as recently as July.

On a statement via the club’s official website, which was not echoed on social media, they said: “Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has extended his contract with the club.

“The former Reds midfielder has agreed a fresh deal until June 2024 after returning to the club when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was initially appointed caretaker manager in December 2018.”

Phelan, a former assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson during the Scot’s time at the club, is now one of Ole’s men and if he is sticking about, there is little doubt that the Norwegian will be too.

Earlier on Monday, Solskjaer had seen his odds to be the next Premier League manager sacked slashed to 5/1 following Man Utd’s wretched recent form.