Solskjaer confirms Molde contract torn up as Norwegian closes in on United job
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that his contract at Molde has been torn up as he moves closer to being named Manchester United manager on a fulltime basis.
United is reluctant to put a timeline on any announcement, but Solskjaer is widely expected to get the job after leading the club into the top four and into the quarterfinals of both the Champions League and FA Cup, the Daily Mail reported.
The speculation has only increased after it emerged that Solskjaer’s contract has been terminated to allow him to work at Old Trafford on loan from the Norwegian club.
“I am not here to get excited, I am here to do my job,” said the 46-year-old. “And, of course, that contract issue there.
“You cannot have two contracts when you’re a manager, so that contract was terminated. I am contracted to Man United until the end of June. “
Because it is impossible to have a dual contract, Solskjaer’s contract with Molde had to be terminated in order for him to sign on a short-term basis with United.
It means that initial suggestions of Solskjaer being loaned to United, returning at the end of the season, were technically false.
A story about Solskjaer signing a new three-year deal with Molde has been removed from the Norwegian club’s website.
Solskjaer added, “I love managing these boys. I love working here. I am just doing the best I can every single day. If and when a decision is to be made we will have to think about that.
“Everyone likes to get complimented but doesn’t change my approach. I am good at focusing on what I should be focusing on. “
Solskjaer has been praised for the feel-good factor he has brought to United since returning to the club in December, but he insisted the positive approach comes naturally.
“I don’t know any other way to approach things,“he added. “Have to look at opportunities. I have always been that way.
“The glass is half full not half empty. When I smashed my cheekbone (when he was younger), I started a diary of what opportunities it gave me – loads of fitness work, finishing work. That has always been with me.“
Solskjaer revealed that United’s injury problems are starting to ease with Anthony Martial ready to return at Arsenal on Sunday and Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera also in contention.
“Anthony will be available, “he added.
“Hopefully we will have Nemanja and/or Herrera ready as well. They just need a couple of days training. “
UEFA explanation
Presnel Kimpembe’s handball which led to Manchester United’s extraordinary 3-1 victory over Paris St. Germain in the Champions League was referred to video technology as it was “a serious missed incident”, UEFA said on Friday.
The competition organizers released a statement on their website detailing the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after the system played a decisive role during the week’s last-16 secondleg games.
The most debated decision saw PSG defender Kimpembe penalized for deflecting a shot from United’s Diogo Dalot with his arm.
That prompted a review which led to Marcus Rashford scoring a penalty in stoppage time to complete one of the most remarkable comebacks in the competition’s history.
“The VAR, after checking various different angles available to him, recommended to the referee an on-field review following the penalty area incident,” UEFA said in a statement.
“Following the on-field review, the referee confirmed that the distance that the ball travelled was not short and the impact could therefore not be unexpected.
“The defender’s arm was not close to the body, which made the defender’s body bigger thus resulting in the ball being stopped from travelling in the direction of the goal. The referee, therefore, awarded a penalty kick.”