United & Pool on red alert

Fergie: Ole’s been impressive... United should give him the boss’ job now

SIR ALEX FERGUSON would give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the Manchester United job NOW. The legendary Old Trafford boss (below) has told close friends that United should make Solskjaer’s appointment permanent immediately, instead of waiting until later this season. Ferguson, who battled back to health after he suffered a brain haemorrhage in May last year, has been lifted by Solskjaer’s impact since taking over from Jose Mourinho, who was sacked in December. Solskjaer has 11 wins in 13 games in

all competitions – including 10 Premier League victories.

Ferguson has had several chats with Solskjaer and also made visits to United’s Carrington training complex since the Norwegian returned to the club in a caretaker capacity days after Mourinho left.

And he’s told friends if it was his decision he would be inclined to give Solskjaer the position straight away with the club clearly back on track.

The 77-year-old former United manager, who won 13 Premier league titles and two Champions League crowns during his 27 years in charge at the club, has been a virtual everpresent at home games as well as attending a handful of away fixtures since Solskjaer’s arrival.

Ferguson – expected to be at Old Trafford today for the crunch clash with Liverpool – has been impressed at Solskjaer’s emphasis on traditional club values, a return to the club’s attacking DNA and bonding a dressing room that had become disenchanted under Mourinho’s toxic final months at the club.

But it’s not just the results which have impressed Ferguson.

The patriarchal figure is believed to have had a say in suggesting his former assistant manager Mike Phelan should be brought back from his post as Sporting Director at Central Coast Mariners in Australia’s A League.

And he’s delighted that United’s back-room team also includes Michael Carrick and Mark Dempsey – both former players at the club.

Having re-installed a United “heartbeat” to the club Ferguson isn’t alone in believing it would make little sense to completely strip out the feel-good factor by making an outside appointment.

United’s hierarchy are maintaining their search for a permanent manager but admit it would be hard not to give it Solskjaer – even if United don’t make the top four.