Solskjaer's twin targets lead to the obvious conclusion the Norwegian has designs on Sir Alex Ferguson's job and, while the ambition may be some way off being realised, Solskjaer has time on his side and will begin by taking charge of United's reserve team next season.

"I do have ambitions to go into management. I want to stay in the game and I want to stay at this club," he said.

"But it is just about taking one step at a time," he added. "I was very good at that as a player and I don't want to jump into a job before I am ready for it."

Solskjaer feels the reserve team job, where he will be assisted by Warren Joyce following his return from Royal Antwerp, should suit him perfectly and, using Roy Keane as an example, denies it has come too early.

"I am not really surprised - I thought that maybe the reserve team was somewhere the club would like to put me," he said.

"It is the perfect job for me because I know the kids well and Roy Keane didn't finish that much before me and look at what he is doing at Sunderland."

Keane's appearance at Old Trafford as Black Cats boss last September marked the end of Solskjaer's career after finally accepting the inevitable after long-standing knee problems.

He gets the chance to officially say goodbye to the fans who still adore him on August 2 when he makes his farewell appearance in a testimonial against Espanyol.