MANCHESTER UNITED No2 Mike Phelan has hinted he will rejoin Aussie side Central Coast Mariners if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not made permanent Old Trafford boss.
Phelan returned to the A-League team during the international break – and will “open discussions again” once the future of interim United chief Solskjaer is resolved.
One-time England midfielder Phelan and ex-striker Solskjaer played for United at different times but have gelled instantly as a managerial pairing since Jose Mourinho’s sacking as boss in December.
Former Mariners Sporting Director Phelan, 56, told FOX Football Podcast: “It’s just a case of how things develop over the next couple of months.
“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.”
SunSport revealed last month that the Old Trafford board have already decided Solskjaer must stay.
And they are expected to confirm the 46-year-old’s appointment before the end of the season.
Certainly after 14 wins in Solskjaer’s 19 games in charge, including setting up a Champions League quarter-final with Barcelona, the only question now is when, not if.
Phelan will be back at United’s Carrington training complex with Solskjaer this week following a packed schedule of international matches.
Yet in the end United only had five players on intenational duty as Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial, Nemanja Matic all withdrew with injuries.
