United should not rush into any decision on Solskjaer ...but must move heaven and earth to keep Phelan

ONE way or another, there is no need for Manchester United to rush into any decision about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future this weekend.

The arrival of title-chasing Liverpool at Old Trafford will be another massive test of United’s revival under their interim manager. But, win or lose, Solskjaer’s claims to the job fulltime shouldn’t be decided over the course of 90 minutes.

After each United victory, I keep hearing people say ‘give Ole the job now.’

On the other hand, after the reality check of a home defeat by Paris Saint-germain in the Champions League, for some people it was back to Plan A – making Tottenham an offer they can’t refuse to release Mauricio Pochettino.

But what’s the hurry? If Solskjaer was offered the United job full-time tomorrow, I’m sure he’d take it. And if he was offered it in the summer, he would take it then as well.

So there is no point in United backing themselves into a corner, one way or another.

If Solskjaer wins the FA Cup and delivers a top-four finish, he’ll have a powerful case given where United were when he took over.

But if they come unstuck at Wolves in the FA Cup quarterfinals and miss out on the top four, the picture will be less clear-cut.

Undeniably, there is a happiness throughout the club right now. There are smiles on the faces of people behind the scenes and United are playing with more freedom of expression on the pitch.

Paul Pogba (right, top) looks the best midfield player in the world, Marcus Rashford (right, bottom) looks like the exciting kid who burst onto the scene three years ago, Ander Herrera looks reborn and Victor Lindelof looks the part now too.

The evidence of United’s transformation under Solskjaer is all over the pitch. But I repeat: There’s no point in giving him the job now. In terms of winning trophies, nothing has changed.

From the shambles of December, when one of the world’s biggest clubs was reduced to installing an interim manager in mid-season, he has proved an inspired appointment.

But I would also give huge credit to coach

Mike Phelan, whose technical influence should not be underestimated. Of all the mistakes in the recruitment and release of managers and backroom staff since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement six years ago, cutting Phelan adrift was the most damaging. There is more to Phelan (with Solskjaer, below) than just putting his arms around players and lifting their morale. I suspect United’s midfield diamond at Chelsea in the FA Cup last Monday night had his fingerprints all over it.

When the time comes for the board to stick or twist with Solskjaer, I hope Phelan has a part to play in United’s future. He understands the club’s DNA and the style Fergie inspired.

Pochettino or Solskjaer? Leave that one in the pending tray, but there are TWO big decisions ahead for executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward this summer.