Phelan staying as Man United's assistant under Solskjaer

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Mike Phelan is staying as the assistant to Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after being hired on a permanent basis.

United says Phelan has signed a three-year deal.

Phelan was a long-time assistant under Alex Ferguson at United. When Solskjaer joined as interim manager in December, he brought in Phelan to help the club rediscover its identity from the Ferguson era.

Solskjaer, who became full-time manager in March, says Phelan "brings a wealth of experience to this role with a long-established connection to the club."