Manchester United’s staff Mike Phelan has made a statement about his future at Old Trafford.
When Jose Mourinho was sacked in December, Manchester United were stuck in a conundrum because of the unavailability of Mauricio Pochettino at that time. However, the decision to recall their former player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the club has worked out well. The Norwegian might have only silverware hope with Champions League, but they are still in a fight for a top-four place as they enter the crucial part of the season.
When Solskjaer moved back to Manchester United, he decided to get the backing of Mike Phelan who was the coach and assistant manager when Sir Alex Ferguson was on the permanent hot seat. The English International has been working with the Australian outfit Central Coast Mariners but outlines that any further role at the club will depend on how things pan out at Manchester United.
Mike Phelan returned to the club along with Solskjaer and has been a huge hit since he has taken over the club alongside him. He was one of the important background members under Sir Alex Ferguson and he continues to be the same under Solskjaer. The 56-year-old indicates that a decision will only be made in the summer transfer window, but he has spoken about the desire to continue at Mariners as the sporting director.
“It’s just a case of how things develop over the next couple of months,” Phelan said on the FOX Football Podcast.
“It’s a busy time for Manchester United obviously, but the season is coming to an end in Australia so I think once decisions are made back over in England then I think we’ll open those discussions again with the Mariners and hopefully the partnership can continue.
“I think it’s a good one; it’s a nice one to be able to be associated with the Mariners, and obviously an association for the Mariners with Manchester United is always a nice thing.
“It’s all down to ifs and buts right now, but I certainly would like to keep my interest at the Mariners.”
If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is appointed as the manager on a full-time basis, there is no doubt that the management of Red Devils will be keen to keep hold of Mike Phelan who is seen as one of the integral members of the club’s setup. If he decides to leave the club and the Norwegian is handed over a new contract, it will be interesting days for the club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken about the necessity to back the youth players as the club aim to restructure after the departure of Jose Mourinho. The 46-year-old has not been afraid to throw the likes of Mason Greenwood, James Garner, and Angel Gomes into the first team lineup when they suffered an injury crisis.
“They’ve been part of our training for a long time now,” Solskjaer revealed in a press conference last month when he was asked about the youngsters training with the first-team.
“Angel has been in that successful England U17 team, with (Jadon) Sancho and (Callum) Hudson-Odoi and (Phil) Foden, so he’s been a big part of that. I’m definitely sure that if he gets a chance he’ll do well.
“Jimmy Garner, he’s a Michael Carrick but 20 years younger, so I’m sure he’ll do well, and Chong, he’ll definitely be taking people on if he comes on.”
“They’re ready, they’re kids. It’s hard when you’re a defender coming on, if you’re 16, 17, but as an attacker you just go out there and express yourself and there’s your chance.
“They can win you the game, they don’t lose it for you.” said Solskjaer.
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Manchester United will face firm tests as the Red Devils face Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League in the upcoming week.
