Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'delighted' to commit to Manchester United with new three-year deal

Norwegian sets sights on the 'biggest and best trophies' after signing contract

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became Manchester United manager on an interim basis in December 2018 before taking the role full time three months later.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he was "delighted" to commit his future to the Premier League club after signing a new three-year contract on Saturday.

Solskjaer, who took over from Jose Mourinho in 2018, will stay at Old Trafford until at least 2024, with the option of an extra year.

"Everyone knows the feeling I have for this club, and I am delighted to have signed this new contract," Solskjaer told the club website. "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."

Solskjaer, 48, led United to a runner-up finish in the Premier League last season while also reaching the Europa League final, which they lost to Villarreal on penalties.

Solskjaer's new contract comes the same week as United completed a deal for England winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, and the Norwegian has set his sights on guiding the club into a bright future.

"I have a fantastic coaching team around me, and we are all ready to take that next step on our journey," he said. "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."

The former United striker initially took over on an interim basis in December 2018 following the dismissal of Mourinho, before earning the job on a permanent basis with a fine run of results.

After a rocky start in the full-time position, progress has largely been steady in his two full seasons in charge, following up a third-placed finish in 2019-20 with a runners-up spot last season when they finished 12 points behind neighbours Manchester City.

However, the acquisition of Sancho suggests that the United board are prepared to back Solskjaer with the players he needs to make a realistic bid for the title.

"Ole and his staff have worked tirelessly putting the foundations in place for long-term success on the pitch," said chief executive Ed Woodward.

"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."

Manchester United begin the new season at home against Leeds United on August 14.