Ole Gunnar Solskjær signs new Manchester United contract until 2024

Ole Gunnar Solskær has signed a new three-year contract to extend his stay as Manchester United manager until at least 2024.

The new deal contains the further option of an extra year for the Norwegian, 48, who led United to second in last season’s Premier League and a losing appearance in the Europa League final.

Solskjær said in a club statement: “Everyone knows the feeling I have for this club, and I am delighted to have signed this new contract. It is an exciting time for Manchester United, we have built a squad with a good balance of youth and experienced players that are hungry for success.”

The former United striker is yet to deliver any silverware since succeeding José Mourinho in December 2018 but his team have shown improvement in the last two seasons, having finished third in 2019-20 and finished only behind Manchester City in 2019-20, albeit at a distance of 12 points. United lost on penalties to Villarreal in the Europa League final.

On Friday, United completed the signing of Jadon Sancho for £73m from Borussia Dortmund. Raphaël Varane, the Real Madrid defender, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford. Meanwhile Paul Pogba is widely reported to have turned down a new contract offer, which may unlock transfer funds should the France midfielder move on.

“I have a fantastic coaching team around me, and we are all ready to take that next step on our journey,” continued Solskjær. “Manchester United wants to be winning the biggest and best trophies and that’s what we are all striving for. We have improved, both on and off the pitch, and that will continue over the coming seasons. I can’t wait to get out in front of a packed Old Trafford and get this campaign started.”

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who is set to leave his position at the end of 2021, said: “Ole and his staff have worked tirelessly putting the foundations in place for long-term success on the pitch. The results of that have become increasingly visible over the past two seasons and we are all looking forward to seeing this exciting team develop further in the years ahead.

“What is especially pleasing is the way this progress has been achieved with a blend of young, homegrown talent and top-class recruits, playing attacking football in the best traditions of Manchester United. We are more confident than ever that, under Ole’s leadership, we are heading in the right direction.”

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United ended last season amid controversy, having been leading lights of the failed European Super League project. That triggered fan protests against the Glazer family, the club’s owners, and the postponement of the match with Liverpool on 2 May.