Phelan made permanent assistant by Manchester United

Phelan was previously Man Utd assistant from 2008 to 2013

Phelan was previously Man Utd assistant from 2008 to 2013

MANCHESTER UNITED have made Mike Phelan permanent assistant manager on a three-year contract.

The former United midfielder and assistant was brought in on an interim basis from Central Coast Mariners last December.

He said: “I am thrilled to be back as assistant manager. Manchester United has been a huge part of my life since I joined as a player in 1989 and I am delighted to be able to continue that relationship in this key role.”

Phelan was Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team coach from 2001 and then assistant manager from 2008 to 2013.

The other members of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom staff are first-team coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna, assistant Mark Demsey and goalkeeper coach Emilio Alvarez.

“Since returning in December, I have enjoyed working with Ole, Michael, Kieran, Mark and Emilio and we are all focused on preparing for the new season,” Phelan added.

Solskjaer said: “Mike is a great person to have around and has been invaluable to me since we returned in December. He brings a wealth of experience to this role with a long established connection to the club.

“We have a good group of coaching staff and we are already working on the challenges that lie ahead as we plan for the new season and the future beyond.”

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