Manchester United news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it would be ‘miraculous’ if Red Devils challenge for Premier League title next season

Manchester United news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it would be ‘miraculous’ if Red Devils challenge for Premier League title next season
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted it would be ‘miraculous’ if Manchester United challenge for the Premier League title next season, in an honest admission of the Red Devils’ current standing.United are already confirmed to miss out on a top four finish this term, with Solskjaer’s side battling to finish either fifth or sixth when they host Cardiff on the final day.1

United have struggled since Solskjaer was appointed manager on a permanent basis

If the Red Devils end their campaign with a defeat to the Bluebirds, they are likely to end 2018/19 32 points behind the title winners – a huge gap which Solskjaer believes will be hard to close next term.“Challenging for the title next year would be a miraculous season because we are so far behind at the moment, points-wise,” he said in his pre-Cardiff press conference.“Next season, we’ve got to close that gap. If we manage to get to February or March and being close then that’s fantastic.” United hope to improve their on-pitch performances by restructuring behind the scenes, with the appointment of a technical director understood to be a long-term ambition of the club’s.One of the contenders for the position, Mike Phelan, was today confirmed as United’s assistant manager, and Solskjaer could not provide any real update on the search for the Red Devils’ first ever sporting director.“The club will announce when they feel they have found the right man,” he added. “Until then we will work under the same structure we have until now.”

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The permanent appointment of Phelan is a boost for Solskjaer, and he commented on his current number two staying on beyond the end of the season.The Norwegian continued: “He’s fantastic at his job as assistant manager so I’m very pleased it has finally been agreed.“When Ed (Woordward, United’s executive vice-chairman) rang me (in December) that was my first port of call to assist me and we’re here now for a few years together.“Players really respect him, they know what he can do and he’s worked with the best. I’m a young manager and Mick’s got more experience in a few more areas than I have.”

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