Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would find it strange to see another manager in charge of Manchester United next season after being used as the face of the club’s season ticket renewal promotion.
The former striker has won 12 of 15 matches since taking over in a caretaker capacity, and it increasingly appears to be a case of when, rather than if, his stint at United is turned into a full-time role.
With Solskjaer’s stock high at present, the club has used him to front their season ticket renewal adverts.
“I’ve done a photo shoot or a video shoot on season tickets, so I’m pleading for them to get their season tickets,” he said with a smile.
After another superb month, Ole's been nominated the @PremierLeague's Manager of the Month award! — Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 1, 2019
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“If it’s me as a supporter or manager, I don’t know but they should still buy their season tickets because the club is going somewhere.”
Asked if it was strange to do promotional work when still only interim boss, he said: “It’ll be stranger to see yourself in the video if you’re not here! But, no, it’s not strange doing it.
“If my kids see a commercial with me in it and I’m back home in Norway, that’ll be strange probably.”
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The 46-year-old has made his desire to remain clear and spoken to United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about the players who should stay and go this summer.
“Yes, I have (spoken about the squad),” Solskjaer confirmed. “We’ve been discussing the future of the club.
Solskjaer and Woodward have discussed who in the United squad should stay or go this summer. (Martin Rickett/PA)
“We did that before I had won two or three games and all this talk about if I should stay on or not.
“My contract is up in the summer but I still, as I’ve always done for Man United, just give 100 per cent and my best.
“You have to plan. Even if I’m not here, I still give my view on who I would like to see as a supporter.”
New signings will be more difficult to acquire if United fail to achieve Champions League qualification.
That looked likely with the side 11 points off the top four when Jose Mourinho was sacked in mid-December, only for the resurgence under Solskjaer to now leave them a point adrift.
Tottenham’s recent slip means third could also be within their grasp.
“It’s important to look upwards,” Solskjaer said, after overseeing a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Solskjaer, right, believes the only way is up for United. (Owen Humphreys/PA)
“Of course, the results have meant we can challenge Tottenham now for that spot. It’s us, Chelsea, Arsenal – we’re all chasing them.
“It’s going to be an exciting race and every single game is going to be very important. You need to make sure that you tip the balance in your way.
“I’m not a nervous guy. I need to relax, and I need to enjoy it. I think my players can see as well that I do enjoy this.
“They’ve got to understand that this is the best time of their lives playing here.
“These are the times Man United players step up, when the going gets tough.
“You sign up for challenges, you sign up to rise to those challenges when you’re at Man United.
“We’ve got Arsenal coming up, PSG away coming up, the big games. These are the periods and times that make them stay in the history of the club.”
History is not everything, though, and Solskjaer knows Champions League qualification is key to their summer business.
“All the players want to play Champions League,” he added ahead of Saturday’s match against Southampton.
Manchester United’s players know Champions League football is crucial to the club. (Martin Rickett/PA)
“To play in the Champions League for Man United is an even bigger thing for many.
“We know that we cannot just live off our name and tradition and history.
“We want to attract good players that want to improve the players we have got here.”
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