Man United appoint Solskjaer as permanent manager

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Manchester United appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Thursday as permanent manager on a three-year contract.

The 46-year-old Norwegian became a caretaker manager on an interim basis in December to replace Jose Mourinho.

As a Manchester United player, Solskaer scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for the English club between 1996 and 2007.

In 2008, he became the club’s reserve-team manager, before taking the on the role of manager at FC Molde in Norway.

"From the first day I arrived, I felt at home at this special club," Solskjaer said on Thursday.

Saying it was an honor to be a player and then coach in Manchester United, he expressed that his time as caretaker manager had been a "fantastic experience".

"This is the job that I always dreamed of doing and I’m beyond excited to have the chance to lead the club long-term and hopefully deliver the continued success that our amazing fans deserve," he added.

When Solskjaer took charge in December, Manchester United were at sixth place in the Premier League.

Manchester United lost only once in 13 league games after Solskjaer took charge.