Five unhappy Man United players after news of Solskjaer's contract extension

Manchester United caretaker head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates after the Champions League round of 16, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Manchester United at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Wednesday, March. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to be handed a bumper new Manchester United deal – even if he fails to win a trophy this season.

The Norwegian has been in charge since the end of 2018, but thus far, is yet to win any silverware.

United are in the quarter finals of the Europa League, but even if they crash out of the tournament, he will still be given an extension.

His deal was set to end at the end of next season, but he will be handed a new three-year contract, likely to be two years plus the option of an extra 12-months.

Solskjaer is also set to see his pay salary increase from £7.5million to £10million, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward convinced the club are on the right path under his stewardship.

So with Solskjaer now tied to the club until the summer of 2024, here are some members of his squad that may be more disgruntled at the news than others.

The central defender looked as if he could be pushing for a regular starting berth under Solskjaer earlier this season.

However, he has since moved back onto the bench with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof the clear first choices.

Bailly’s contract expires at the end of the next season and although United have opened talks, the player is reportedly set to snub any potential offer.

Manchester United's Eric Bailly celebrates [Pool via REUTERS/Carl Recine]

It has been claimed Bailly feels ‘disrespected’ by Solskjaer and that regardless of how well he plays, he will never be a regular starter.

Solskjaer extending his stay at Old Trafford could be the catalyst for the defender to force a move.

Solskjaer handed the full-back his senior debut last season, making 36 appearances in all competitions.

But his progression has been stunted this time around, playing just six Premier League minutes in total.

Despite being able to play on both the left and right flank, Solskjaer appears unwilling to risk the wo-year-old in any competition.

It is likely this news means he will either look to leave on loan or permanently at the end of the campaign.

Donny van de Beek

Despite being the man in the duogut when Van de Beek arrived from Ajax last summer, Solskjaer hasn’t afforded the £35million regular opportunities.

The Dutchman has cut a frustrated figure at times, with his place at this summer’s European Championship now in doubt.

On the few occasions the United boss has played the midfielder, he has failed to play to his strengths and still appears unsure on his best position.

The two are now long-term fixtures at Old Trafford, they either need to find a resolution or it’s the player that could look to pastures new.

Jesse Lingard

Arsenal's French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi (L) vies with Manchester United's English midfielder Jesse Lingard (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

While Solskjaer has refused to close the door on a potential return for Lingard, his recent comments make that unlikely.

Speaking about his stunning form out on loan with West Ham, the United boss admitted that he would be in direct competition with talisman Bruno Fernandes.

If that’s the only role that Solskjaer sees for the England international, his future at his boyhood club looks bleak.

It may be a case that now, the best move for all is Lingard to search out a long-term exit.

Anthony Martial

The Frenchman has been a regular under the current United boss, but there is little doubt he has eyes on a potential replacement.

Martial’s role has clearly been identified as a central striker, but with Erling Haaland on the radar, his days in the line-up could be numbered.

138266811598

It is expected they will make some kind of approach for the Borussia Dortmund superstar and even if they don’t manage to complete that deal, it’s likely at least one striker will arrive.

A new manager may have looked to switch the 25-year-old to a new position and given him a new lease of life. That now appears more unlikely to happen.

 

Athletics
Kenya hoping to defend World Cross Country title in Belgrade
Football
Fifa threatens Kenya with ban again
Unique Sports
SCHOOLS: Lenana School, Kisumu Girls and Agoro Sare turn focus on national games finals
Motorsport
Safari Rally: 29 drivers set for epic showdown as Safari Rally zooms off