Ole handed reserve-team role

Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is to take charge of the reserve team next season.

Manager Alex Ferguson has shown his faith in Solskjaer by handing him his first big coaching role with the club's second string.

Ferguson has always viewed the Norwegian as potential management material and has now given him his big break.

Ferguson said: "'Having outstanding observation is essential.

"I make the point to all our subs that when they sit on the bench they have to think about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

"He used to take notes on training sessions, which shows his keenness to learn the game. Now he is taking his badges, which is important."

Ferguson would not be drawn on whether Solskjaer would one day inherit his own job, but he does feel he is doing everything right.

He said: "It is very difficult to say where people are going to be in two weeks' time, let alone two years. And I certainly would not want to talk about what is likely to happen at this club. It is not my domain.

"But I do know Ole is doing exactly the right things if he wants to stay in the game."