Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seals new Man United contract

Manchester United's manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer walks to the pitch prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Burnley and Manchester United in Burnley, England, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. (Clive Brunskill/Pool via AP)

The Red Devils boss is about to enter the final year of his current contract, but he has secured an agreement on a new deal amid several Old Trafford changes.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won a new £9 million a year contract at Manchester United.

Sources at Old Trafford say talks are set to begin any day on a new deal for the Norwegian with his current three-year contract set to click into its final year later this month.

United's senior management team led by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward have been engaged in securing new technical posts for former midfielder Darren Fletcher and John Murtough since the start of 2021.

Solskjaer was involved in formulating playing-side details of the new structure – and now it's his turn for an extended contract.

Even before United's comfortable 2-0 Manchester derby win over bitter rivals City at the Etihad, Woodward publicly praised the steps made under Solskjaer to shareholders as the club's latest quarterly figures were announced earlier this month.

Said the United supremo: “The progress made by Ole and the players this season is clear and is adding to the optimism we feel about the future on and off the pitch.”

Solskjaer's reward will be a healthy upgrade on his current £7 million-a-year salary with United's hierarchy happy with the way the first team squad is developing under the 1999 Treble hero.

Woodward believe Solskjaer has restored the club's DNA missing under previous bosses Jose Mourinho and Louis Van Gaal with an emphasis on emerging young talent and attacking football.

And although United are yet to win a trophy under Solskjaer after losing three cup semi-finals last season, Woodward and American owners the Glazers have seen enough to be encouraged the squad are on the right track to success.

Second-place United still trail runaway Premier League leaders City by a huge margin.

Manchester United v AC Milan - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - March 11, 2021, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before the match [REUTERS/Phil Noble]

But the prospect of back to back Champions League campaigns has increased Solskjaer's standing with the chance of a trophy this season still alive in the FA Cup and Europa League.