Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘will be offered a new Man United deal and will be given substantial backing in the summer transfer window’ despite trophy-less season after Europa League final heartbreak against Villarreal
- Man United finished second in the league and lost in the Europa League final
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has come under fire for defeat by Villarreal in Gdansk
- But Norwegian will be backed with a new contract at Old Trafford this summer
- The club will back him in the transfer market with three key positions earmarked
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be given a new contract and receive substantial backing in the transfer market this summer.
Despite finishing the season without a trophy and rounding off the campaign with an abject defeat by Villarreal in the Europa League final, the club are to give Solskjaer a new deal.
According to the Telegraph, the Norwegian will open talks with United over a fresh three-year extension, with his current contract set to expire next year.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will reportedly be offered a new deal at Manchester United this summer
Villarreal upset United in the Europa League final after a penalty shootout on Wednesday night
The United hierarchy remain convinced that Solskjaer, 48, is the man for the job after an improved season and second place finish in the Premier League.
Despite the progress made this season, there remains an inconsistency of performance, typified by United’s 11-10 shootout defeat on Wednesday night against underdogs Villarreal, who finished seventh in LaLiga.
To make the next step and challenge champions Manchester City, while also competing in the Champions League, there is recognition that new additions are needed.
And United are said to be preparing to back their manager in the transfer market.
A wide forward, defender and central midfielder have been identified as the crucial areas to improve.
Solskjaer could not lead his side to silverware this season but will be backed in the summer
Jadon Sancho, a target last summer, is still the favoured option as a wide forward and should be available for a more attractive price than the £108million demanded by Borussia Dortmund less than 12 months ago.
Fellow Englishman Jack Grealish is another potential wide attacker but Solskjaer has earmarked Sancho as his No 1 choice.
Executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, will remain in place until the end of 2021 so the impact of him leaving will not be felt in the summer transfer window.
He will work with the transfer committee and Solskjaer to bring in a defender and central midfield player after the £40m addition of Donny van de Beek looks to have failed.
Jadon Sancho (left) and Jack Grealish are both options for Manchester United this summer
De Gea missed the key penalty for United and his days at the club could well be numbered
Ed Woodward has resigned but it will be a long goodbye and could even last until December
The Dutchman is said to be seeking assurances over his future and he was an unused substitute on Wednesday night, despite United badly needing fresh legs in extra time.
In terms of outgoings, one of David de Gea or Dean Henderson appears likely to leave as both are desperate for the No 1 role.
And Paul Pogba’s future is undecided, as it seems to be every summer.
There is the general feeling that the transfer window is of huge importance and will go on to define Solskjaer’s reign.
Gary Neville reflected on Wednesday: ”Haven’t played well for weeks and last night a continuation of the form recently.
‘Pressure will be applied to Ole and the team. Rightly so. Need to get it right this summer and a good start to next season needed badly!’
It remains to be seen whether there will be another Paul Pogba transfer saga this summer
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