Pranav Nair
Boost for Solskjaer as Mike Phelan pens new Manchester United contract
According to The Mirror, Manchester United have offered club veteran Mike Phelan, assist to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a new contract.
The 59-year-old took over as a first-team coach following Solskjaer’s appointment in 2018 and has been the Norwegian’s right-hand man since.
Phelan’s contract was due to expire next year. He has now been handed fresh terms that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2023/24 season. This will come as a boost for the United boss who also recently penned a new deal until 2024.
Solskjaer is currently under pressure after a run of poor results. However, by extending Phelan’s contract, it could be debated that the club is suggesting their faith in the Norwegian boss.
A former player, Phelan made over 100 appearances for the club between 1989 and 1994. He was part of the Red Devils side that won the club’s first Premier League title.
He returned to the club in a coaching capacity in 2000 with the United reserves. He gradually went on to work under Sir Alex Ferguson as his assistant for the remainder of his seat at the club until 2013.
He later took over as caretaker manager at Norwich City and then a manager at Hull City before a brief spell as the sporting director of the Australian club Central Coast Mariners. He remains a popular figure at United and returned when Jose Mourinho was fired in 2018.
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As things stand, Phelan will need to help Solskjaer turn around the club’s fortunes. While both of them have been handed new contracts, the onus is on them to show that the faith in them is not misplaced.
