OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER’S permanent appointment at Manchester United has opened the door on a full house of knock-on effects for their main Premier League rivals.
The Norwegian’s new deal left Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk fearing he would be booted OUT of Solskjaer’s old home… and Mauricio Pochettino knowing he will be stuck IN Tottenham‘s new one.
And what of United‘s neighbours? Solskjaer‘s arrival threatens to serve notice on Pep Guardiola’s City that they no longer have a freehold on the top honours.
Solskjaer staying put could also have huge ramifications for England’s brightest young wing talents.
Having already revived the infectious spirit of Alex Ferguson in his three-month stint as interim boss, the 46-year-old now wants to increase the type of flair and youthful promise United’s greatest ever manager was famous for.
So Solskjaer seems sure to rev up his interest in Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi, 18, and Borussia Dortmund’s former City starlet Jadon Sancho, 19.
A bit cheeky, perhaps, to nick your own students for an updated Class of 92 when you haven’t got your own version of widemen Ryan Giggs and David Beckham coming through
But many think Solskjaer has already been winging it, transforming United as much so far with his positive personality as his tactics.
So adding two of England’s finest teen fliers surely can’t hurt.
Solskjaer has also guided United back up to the top floor in the Premier League – three points off fifth, compared to sitting a tame sixth under now-sacked Jose Mourinho.
Elsewhere, Solskjaer’s return to Old Trafford in December has had Liverpool’s £75m centre-back Van Dijk sweating on more than just the Premier League leaders’ hunt for the title.
The Dutchman has been renting Solskjaer’s five-bedroom home.
So despite Liverpool preparing for Sunday’s trip to third-placed Tottenham, Van Dijk’s thoughts today might have turned from gaining a Premier win to finding a Premier Inn as he contemplated becoming homeless.
But Solskjaer has tonight confirmed he will not evict the 27-year-old, whose rental deal means he can stay put at the Cheshire mansion.
Which proves that sometimes, even in football, contracts do mean something.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer’s three-year deal takes the heat away from Pochettino over his Spurs future.
The Argentinian was the frontrunner for the permanent United job until Solskjaer’s incredible run in temporary charge.
But finally Poch can concentrate on raising the roof at the new £850million Tottenham Stadium when it finally opens for Prem action next month.
United striker Alexis Sanchez, though, seems more certain than ever now to depart in the summer – with old club Arsenal tipped to borrow him.
And although Van Dijk and Pochettino might be glad the speculation over their own future is over, for Sanchez a “coming home loan” might be best for everyone.