Date published: Thursday 28th March 2019 5:01
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has described managing Manchester United as his “ultimate dream”.
United confirmed on Thursday morning that the Norwegian has been given a three-year contract to manage the club after a successful caretaker stint.
The move has seemed inevitable for many weeks given the transformation United have made since Solskjaer arrived following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in December.
Among other ridiculous statistics, Solksjaer has won 14 of his 19 games in charge, reviving hopes of a top-four finish and unexpectedly guiding United to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
He said at a press conference at Old Trafford on Thursday afternoon: “This has been my ultimate dream. This dream has always been in my mind.
“I’m so honoured and privileged. When I got the job we were 11 points behind fourth, now we have given ourselves a great chance to finish maybe third.
“We are in a great position to get into the Champions League, but that’s not decided until May 12.”
Solskjaer said discussions would be held before the end of the season about United’s summer transfer plans.
“Of course we have been discussing how to move the club forward. That doesn’t mean x amount of money or x amount of players,” he said.
“We have sat down and discussed but now it’s easier to be clear. We will do some business this summer.
“The lure of Champions League football might be important for some players, but to play for Man United, and sign a contract for four or five years, you know you are going to be playing in the Champions League.
“We need to get going before the end of the season to hold talks about players, with players, and who’s going to stay here. The short-term priority now is to improve.”
Solskjaer revealed he had spoken to his former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson since his appointment.
“I have spoken to him. I’m not going to discuss what we spoke about, but it is one of the first phone calls you make when things were more or less decided,” he said.
“I’ve come in and tried to put smiles on people’s faces. It’s about creating an environment everyone wants to be part of and giving everyone the responsibility to be the best they can be.
“To know who the manager is for the club next season is helpful for any player to decide where he wants to play. We’ve got a couple of players we’re in talks with and hopefully we can get their futures sorted.”
The new first-team manager of Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. #OlesAtTheWheel ✊ #MUFC pic.twitter.com/8PrTA1Wn8C
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 28, 2019
Solskjaer said winning trophies as United manager would eclipse those he won as a player under Ferguson at Old Trafford.
“When I do leave here, if I can look back and have had success and lift trophies, I would be more happy than I was as a player. That’s a bigger achievement,” he said.
“To lift the Premier League trophy is what we expect, what we’re used to, what we have done so many times.
“It’s not like it’s going to happen overnight, catching 15, 16, 17 points on the top teams. I know we will be successful, but it’s about taking it step by step.”
Solskjaer said he expects his assistant Mike Phelan to stay on at the club and work alongside him.
