Man Utd transfer theory suggested by Sky Sports reporter over Ole Gunnar Solksjaer deals

That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, who thinks that any big deals under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could suggest either who will be the next permanent manager – or who will be the next director of football.

“I’m finding this very interesting indeed… If he’s actually given money – not only if he’s given money but how much,” Sheth told the Transfer Talk podcast.

“Can you see a scenario where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is given £50million to £60m on the centre-back that Jose Mourinho wanted to bring in without the permanent manager potentially, being it him or someone else, knowing about it? 

“Have they already earmarked a director of football for them to outlay that much money? If so, surely a director of football or a permanent manager should be kept in the loop if United spend big.

“It’s got to be noted that United have been very careful with what they’ve been doing. They’ve not rushed into a permanent managerial appointment. They’ve given themselves times.

“They’ve made three managerial appointments since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club and all three haven’t seen out their contracts. You could say, by deduction, they haven’t worked.

“It won’t have helped that every incoming manager is having to deal with players that would have bought by the other managers. That’s the squad they’ve been left with.

“If you look at the pure maths of it, there have been 11 transfer windows since Sir Alex Ferguson left United. They’ve bought in the region of 25 players. A third of those players are no longer at Old Trafford – be it form, be it swaps.

“I just think if Solksjaer is given backing this transfer window it may suggest a nod to who the permanent manager at Manchester United is going to be – or a nod towards what the structure is going to look like at Old Trafford.”

The Norwegian has made the perfect start to his interim tenure at Old Trafford, becoming the first United manager since Sir Matt Busby to win his first four league games, leading to increased speculation that he may be given the job full-time.

But Solskjaer has revealed he has not yet held talks with the United hierarchy about his future at the club.

Solskjaer said: “It’s early doors. Of course when I came in they were open and honest about they’re going to have a process looking for the next manager. But the more you’re here, the more you enjoy it.

“I’ve said one game at a time and the day they announce the next manager, if it’s me or someone else, good luck.”

Already a hero to the fans as a player, Solskjaer has received a rapturous welcome back to the club, but he added: “I don’t get distracted easily. I’m very focused.

“I know what my job is. My job is now Reading, then we go to Dubai to prepare for Tottenham. That’s my job. It’s not my job to rate myself and judge myself. That’s up to someone else.”

Solskjaer is also yet to talk with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about the club’s transfer plans for January – and does not expect to have too much of a say.

He said: “You don’t just plan the next day or the next month. I’m sure they’ve got plans for this transfer window. It’s probably been planned since the summer and the year before.

“The structure of the club is phenomenal. I’m sure they’ve got their targets. Obviously I’m here to voice my opinion and I’m sure we’ll sit down, me and Ed, and see if they’ve got anything in the pipeline.”