Solskjaer aids case for Man United job with second title

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is earning the plaudits as a manager

Bagging successive Norwegian championships with Molde can only enhance the Manchester United legend's case to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson...

As English football's immortal question draws ever closer to being answered - who will succeed the practically irreplaceable Sir Alex Ferguson - one of Man United's most popular sons is boosting his reputation at just the right time.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, or the 'Baby-faced Assassin', as he was affectionately known in his playing days at Old Trafford, will forever be remembered for his remarkable last-gasp winner to clinch the Champions League for United back in 1999.

Solskjaer actually ended up making 366 appearances for United, scoring an incredible 126 times, earning the reputation as one of the greatest 'super Subs' of all time.

Over five years on from his retirement and following spells as both a striking coach and reserve team manager at United, Solskjaer is coming to the fore once more.

Nowadays Solskjaer is in charge of his own side, Molde, back in his native Norway where he has just engineered a second Tippleligaen crown in two seasons.

The 39-year-old joined Molde as head coach at the start of 2011 and won them their first ever title in his debut season. Now he's done it again with one game still to spare.

Those of you thinking "so what, it's only Norway" should be reminded that the country's most famous club Rosenborg had taken domination to new levels - winning no fewer than 17 titles between 1990-2010. 

Something Solskjaer was keen to point out when speaking to the media about his success.  

"The boys have been very focused on getting this done. Now we've shown that it can be won two years in a row - without being called Rosenborg," he said. 

Wins over Heerenveen and Stuttgart in the Europa League have also helped put Molde on the footballing map this season. 

No wonder then that the former United striker is receiving the plaudits and can now be found at 13.5n/a to replace Sir Alex whenever the Scotsman eventually surrenders his post.

Other leading candidates to take over the most coveted managerial post in English football include Pep Guardiola, still out of work, and available at 4.3100/30 to follow on Ferguson's legacy.

And of course, Jose Mourinho's constant mumblings about a return to manage in this country make him another very popular choice at 5.95/1.