Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to be handed a new three-year deal, reports Mike McGrath and Ian Whittell for The Telegraph. The Norweigan is also likely to get new signings this summer despite executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward leaving the club.
United finished this season without a trophy after their Europa League final loss to Villarreal on Wednesday night. The game went to penalties after Edinson Cavani cancelled out Gerard Moreno’s opener. However, after every penalty had been scored, with Villarreal leading 11-10, United goalkeeper David De Gea was denied with his own kick.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to Get New Manchester United Contract
Further Improvement Needed
There’s no doubt that Manchester United have been relatively successful under Solskjaer, at least in domestic competition. They finished second in the Premier League in 2020/21, their highest finish since 2017/18, although some way off winners Manchester City, who ended 12 points clear.
This campaign also saw United go one better in the Europa League having been knocked out in the semi-finals last year.
However, the trophy drought continues, with the last piece of silverware being the Europa League at the end of the 2016/17 campaign. That is what United need to change, and Solskjaer is expected to get the backing to do so.
The report from McGrath and Whittell reinforces that Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund is still United’s primary target this summer, while Solskjaer would also like to bring in a striker, a central midfielder and a defender.
Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish is also still a possibility, although bringing in Sancho for a lower fee than the £108 million Dortmund were holding out for last season is still Solskjaer’s preferred choice.
Outgoings?
Manchester United could generate additional funds for this summer by letting players go too.
Both David De Gea and Dean Henderson do not want to be the second-choice goalkeeper next season, so it’s highly likely that one of them will be sold this summer to sort out that situation.
Donny van de Beek was an unused substitute in the final against Villarreal and has only been a sporadic performer this season despite the £40 million price tag on his move from Ajax last summer.
While there is no suggestion that he wants to leave, he must surely be thinking about what role he is playing in this squad and whether it’s suitable for him.
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