Manchester United are reportedly edging closer to appointing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their next permanent manager.
The legendary striker has won nine of his 10 matches in charge of the Red Devils, drawing the other, since replacing Jose Mourinho a week before Christmas.
Solskjaer has guided United into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and right back into top-four contention in the Premier League, while at the same time entertaining supporters with his style of play.
According to The Mirror, the Norwegian has seen his chances of landing the job on a full-time basis receive another major boost as the other runners for the high-profile position are slowly falling away.
United chiefs are said to be ready to admit defeat in their pursuit of former top target Mauricio Pochettino, who is under contract with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and has given mixed messages over his future.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is not under strong consideration because he is unable to speak fluent English.
Antonio Conte is also not in the running as United do not want another disciplinarian following Mourinho's disastrous final campaign at Old Trafford.
Should Solskjaer be given the job permanently, the English giants will have to pay Molde an £8m compensation fee.
Daniel Lewis
