SOLSKJAER SET TO LAND UNITED JOB THIS WEEK

MANCHESTER UNITED are close to appointing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their permanent manager. United were remaining tightlipped last night, but it’s understood thy could confirm Solskjaer as full-time boss this week. The 46-year-old Norwegian has won 14 of his 19 games as caretaker manager since replacing Jose Mourinho in December. United have always maintained that a decision would be made before the end of the season, but an announcement could come earlier to end any speculation. United midfielder Nemanja Matic echoed the feelings among the players when he called for Solskjaer and his No 2 Mike Phelan to be appointed, working with assistant coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna. ‘I think he’s a great manager,’ said Matic. ‘I will be happy if he stays and I hope he will. But you have to say that Mike, Michael and Kieran, they work very well together. It’s not only Ole.’ Solskjaer has been spending time with his family in Norway during the international break while

Phelan travelled to Australia in his role as sporting director for Central Coast Mariners. ‘It’s just a case of seeing how things develop over the next couple of months,’ said Phelan. ‘The season is coming to an end in Australia, so once decisions are made back over in England then I think we’ll open those discussions again with the Mariners.’ l ANDER HERRERA admits his Manchester United future is up in the air with Paris SaintGermain and Arsenal interested in signing him on a free transfer this summer. Herrera will be out of contract at Old Trafford in June and negotiations that started 18 months ago have reached deadlock. United are still hopeful of persuading him to sign a new deal and it’s believed the 29-year-old midfielder would prefer to stay. But Herrera is unhappy the club have allowed talks to drag on after initially offering him little more than some of the junior first-team players. It’s believed he is looking for a significant increase on his current £80,000-aweek deal to closer to £150,000.