Man Utd assistant Mike Phelan handed new contract in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer boost

Manchester United assistant manager Mikel Phelan has been rewarded with a new contract, according to reports.

Phelan, 59, has served as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's right-hand man since May 2019 and was a first-team coach for the Norwegian after his appointment as caretaker manager in December 2018.

His previous deal was due to expire next year and, as reported by the Daily Mail, he has been handed a contract until the end of the 2023/24 season.

News of his No. 2's extension is sure to come as a boost to Solskjaer, as he is also tied down at Old Trafford until 2024.

Mike Phelan has served as assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since he was appointed manager permanently ( Image:

Pool via REUTERS)

The former Red Devils striker has found himself under pressure in the hot seat at this early stage of the season after his side's mixed bag of results.

United were beaten 2-1 by Swiss minnows Young Boys in the Champions League and exited the Carabao Cup with a 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham last month.

The Red Devils also lost at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League and were held to a 1-1 draw in their most-recent outing, against Everton on Saturday.

Solskjaer relied on last-gasp heroics by Jesse Lingard and David de Gea to edge out West Ham to a 2-1 win in the top flight.

He was also sparred blushes in European competition as Ronaldo scored in the 95th-minute against Villarreal to hand the Red Devils their first Champions League victory of the season.

But Phelan's new deal emphasises the United hierarchy's commitment to Solskjaer and suggests they are not considering a change of manager any time soon.

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Phelan made over 100 league appearances as a midfielder for United between 1989 and 1994, winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup.

He returned to the club in a coaching capacity with the reserves in 2000 and went on to serve as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant until shortly after the Scottish legend's retirement in 2013.

Phelan was later appointed caretaker manager at Norwich City and boss at Hull City before a brief spell as sporting director of Australian club Central Coast Mariners.

He returned to United again following Jose Mourinho's sacking in late 2018 and he remains a popular figure at the club's training ground.

Phelan will hope he can help Solskjaer improve the Red Devils' form as pressure mounts following an expensive summer of spending.

As well as signing superstar forward Ronaldo from Juventus for £20million, the club paid £73million for Jadon Sancho and £40million for Raphael Varane.