Manchester United plan to offer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a new, long-term contract, confirm reports. The Norwegian recently saw his team lose the Europa League final in the penalty shootout against Villarreal, but has reportedly done enough to earn a new deal.
The Norwegian went around the pitch consoling his gloomy-looking players after an excruciating loss in the Europa League Final. Despite two full trophyless seasons, the United hierarchy is happy with the job Solskjaer has done and are expected to hand him a new deal – reports the Telegraph.
Solskjaer led Manchester United to their first final since the 2018 FA Cup. Previously, the Red Devils had failed to progress past the semi-final stage of any competition under him. United reached the last eight stages of both the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League during his first half-season. In his first full season at the club as manager, United were eliminated from the semi-finals of the Europa League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup.
The pressure was on the Norwegian to deliver trophies this term, as the club had backed him with a considerable amount of investment despite fan backlash. The Red Devils strengthened their squad further by adding Donny Van De Beek, Alex Telles, and Edinson Cavani ahead of the 2020/21 season, although they missed out on key target Jadon Sancho.
Manchester United suffered their first blow of the new campaign in late December when they were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League after finishing third in their group. United dropped down to the Europa League, where they would finish as the eventual runners-up to Villarreal. The Red Devils lost the final to the Spanish minnows on penalties after drawing 1-1 over 120 minutes. David De Gea missed the crucial spot-kick as the shootout ended 11-10 in favor of the Yellow Submarine. The English giants, meanwhile, had been knocked out of both the domestic cups in the latter stages.
The Europa League Final loss against Villarreal confirms that United will finish their third straight season without a trophy. They last lifted a cup in 2017, when Jose Mourinho took them all the way in the same competition that they lost on Wednesday night. Despite another disappointing season in terms of silverware, the Manchester United hierarchy is happy with the progress that the team has made under Solskjaer. As such, they are expected to reward the Norwegian with a contract renewal.
The Telegraph reports that Solskjaer will be handed a new three-year deal by United, with negotiations planned for next week. Solskjaer’s current deal is set to run out in 2022, but the extension will push back the date until 2024, at least. Meanwhile, the club is also expected to back him in the transfer market. They have promised the manager four new signings this summer to close the gap between themselves and English champions Manchester City.
Tom Heaton is expected to complete his impending transfer to Manchester United shortly. The ex-Burnley and Aston Villa goalkeeper is said to be in talks to seal a return to his boyhood club and serve as backup to David De Gea and Dean Henderson. Whether he is one of the four planned signings remains to be seen.
Solskjaer also plans on bolstering his squad by signing three England internationals. Sancho, who United pursued publicly a year ago, is reportedly a top target. Borussia Dortmund’s stance on the Englishman has softened with the club instead openly protecting their other star asset – Erling Haaland. Apart from Sancho, the Red Devils are also reportedly keen on central midfielder Declan Rice, who plays for West Ham United at the moment. Harry Kane’s developing situation is being watched closely as well, with the England captain unhappy at Tottenham. United are also planning on buying a new center-back to partner Harry Maguire with.
