Molde can start counting their cash already
When Ole Gunnar Solksjaer signed as Manchester United interim manager, few paid much attention to the seemingly large fee the club had agreed to hand over to make the Molde boss’ move permanent.
The amount quoted was £7.2 million, a chunky fee for most clubs and certainly a high amount for a manager who had struggled massively in his only previous venture into Premier League management. Granted, the Norwegian did come having just signed a contract to 2021 with his old club.
However the agreed compensation will surely not be an issue for United now that they have secured progression into the Champions League quarter-finals.
In one fell swoop, Solskjaer settled his own fee by landing a reported £9 million for the club, which is the expected intake they will benefit from in the next round alone. Getting through to the final four will earn them around £10 million with up to £15 million more landing in the pockets of the winners.
The idea that United could win this year’s Champions League is a far cry from their situation after winning just one of their opening three group games, Jose Mourinho’s side coming undone at home to Valencia and Juventus. Since then, the side squeezed through as Group H runners-up and the reins were handed over to Solskjaer.
The Norwegian’s first leg defeat to PSG remains his only loss in 17 matches. Only Burnley and Liverpool have prevented the Red Devils from claiming victory under Solskjaer and Arsenal are up next on Sunday, in a key clash for the race to finish in the Premier League top four.
