Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants Mike Phelan to remain his assistant at Manchester United, despite his No2 being linked with the job of technical director at Old Trafford.
Phelan is yet to sign a permanent deal some two weeks after Solskjaer was handed a three-year contract.
He is seen as someone who could take on the role of United’s first technical director, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward eager to appoint a candidate who understands the culture of the club.
Academy director Nicky Butt and head of football development John Murtough are also considered contenders as Woodward hopes to make an appointment before the start of next season.
The delay in Phelan signing his deal has raised questions over his future – but Solskjaer is adamant he wants Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant to remain by his side.
“I want to work with Mick Phelan and I want him to do the job he's doing,” said the Norwegian. “Sometimes in this country, we're more concerned about what the job title is rather than what people do.
“What Mick does is more than just being an assistant manager, even if he is the assistant manager. He's a fantastic guy to have around.”
United had to shelve plans to bring in a director of football while Jose Mourinho was still at the club because the former manager was reluctant to work as part of that structure.
His sacking in December saw Woodward resume his search for a candidate, who will be expected to take a long-term view of the club’s planning from academy through to the first team.
Despite interest in high-profile figures like Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Berta, thoughts have now turned to candidates with more of an understanding of United’s culture.
That is why Butt and Murtough have emerged as serious options, while Phelan also fits the criteria of what Woodward is looking for.
