Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s return to Manchester United, the Norwegian has been ably-assisted by Mike Phelan.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s long-time lieutenant, Phelan returned to Old Trafford to aid Solskjaer during his caretaker stint in charge, offering a senior voice alongside fellow coaches Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick.
Solskjaer, of course, has since been named permanent manager at the club and is being tasked with taking the 20-time English champions back into Premier League title contention.
And he has been quick to praise the impact that Phelan has made alongside him.
Speaking earlier this month, Solskjaer declared: "He’s a key part of the club.”
But while Solskjaer has inked a fresh deal and both Carrick and McKenna are expected to sign extensions in the coming days, Phelan’s future at the club is in question, having still not signed a deal to stay.
Phelan, who had a spell as a player at Old Trafford in the early 1990s and spent 15 years alongside Ferguson, is currently on secondment from Australian side Central Coast Mariners, where he operates as the A-League club’s sporting director.
And Mirror Football understands that it is that role which he is keen to take on next season, if he is to return to Manchester on a full-time basis.
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is continuing the club’s search for a director of football, as club chiefs continue to come under fire for not having 'football men' near the boardroom.
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At the last count United have 26 global partners, from sportswear giant Adidas to Mlily, the club’s official global mattress and pillow partner, but they have struggled to keep up with rivals on the field and their transfer strategy has come under fire.
Phelan believes that he can help to enhance the club's player-recruitment strategy and also further links between the club's first team and academy - something Solskjaer is similarly keen on.
The success of Ajax this season, with the Dutch giants having reached the Champions League semi-finals while also being in the mix for the Eredivisie and Dutch Cup, offers a potential boost for Phelan's hopes, given how they have been built around smart signings, young stars and staff who know the club inside out.
United chiefs have been in contact with the Australian side over keeping Phelan and want him to remain.
But if Woodward is unwilling to acquiesce to Phelan, then Solskjaer may well lose a key ally before his first full season in charge.
Ed Woodward must answer serious questions for Manchester United to ever be great again
