OLE’S SET TO GET A NEW DEAL

REWARD Solskjaer has motivated his side

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is on course to earn himself a new Manchester United contract, Gary Neville believes.

Neville has tipped his former Old Trafford team-mate to be rewarded with an extended deal next summer – even if the Norwegian’s bid to keep United at the top of the table falters.

The Sky Sports pundit says Solskjaer’s No.1 priority this season must be to prove he has closed the gap on champions Liverpool and Mancunian rivals City.

Neville feels that will be enough to earn him another contact.

“Ole has to get United closer to City and Liverpool,” said Neville, ahead of his former club’s tantalising trip to Anfield.

“United have been miles away for two years. If they are within two or three games of City and Liverpool at the end of the season, I would say that’s probably where Ole needs to be.

“That feels really defeatist when

Alexander-arnold, Van Dijk, Maguire, Robertson Fernandes, Fabinho, Pogba Salah, Rashford, Mane

United are at the top of the league. What I would say is that, over 12 months, Manchester United have put together a really consistent run of performances.

“They are hard to beat, they win a lot of away games and, although their home record has been a little bit disappointing, there has been massive progression.

“I would say that Ole is on track to extend that contract if he stays around City and Liverpool.”

United have not been top of the table at the turn of the year since Sir Alex Ferguson’s side won the title in 2013.

Since then, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have all been sacked.

And Neville is under no illusions that Solskjaer will be expected to deliver the title if he seals a contract extension.

He added: “Ole has to eventually win the title – or he won’t live as Manchester United’s manager for a long time.

“At the end of next season, he will have had three-and-a-half years at the club.

“That’s enough time. Jurgen Klopp had four years to win it at Liverpool, but he also got to a Champions League Final.

“So Ole has to get closer this season – then next season he has to challenge.”