Man Utd chiefs make decision on date to make Solskjaer permanent boss

Interim Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer [Courtesy]

Manchester United want to confirm Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their new permanent boss during the upcoming international break.

Solskjaer has been on a remarkable run since being named as interim manager in December after Jose Mourinho's sacking, winning 14 games, drawing two and losing just twice.

The former United striker is now the only contender for the post, and the club's top brass have already decided to make him their next permanent manager.

Initially, the plan was to leave the decision on Mourinho's full-time successor until the end of the season but United are now ready to bring it forward so they can get a headstart on planning for next season.

The appointment will also be seen as a reward for Solskjaer guiding United into the last eight of the Champions League, and to within touching distance of a top-four spot having been closer to last place than first in points terms when Mourinho went.

They will pay the 46-year-old’s Norwegian club, Molde, a compensation package of around £8m as he is set to leave his post as their manager to take over full-time at Old Trafford.

It is now just a matter of time before Solskjaer is announced and the forthcoming international break starting after next weekend's matches is the obvious choice.

United's visit Wolves for an all-Premier League FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday night is followed by a 10-day window for Euro 2020 qualifiers and international friendlies, and United want to pin things down in time to get the deal done.

Former United defender Gary Neville hinted last week, after the club’s astonishing Champions League win at Paris Saint-Germain to go through from 2-0 down after the first leg, that he would “be surprised” if they do not confirm Solskjaer during that spell and the club are indeed moving in that direction.

It means he'd be officially their manager by the time they next kick a ball in the Premier League, against Watford on March 30.