In his 99 days as interim manager at Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delivered a record-breaking set of results, restored the team's identity and swagger, and lifted the gloom lingering from the end of the Jose Mourinho era.

Somehow, he even kept United on course to win the Champions League — a feat he memorably achieved as a player.

So it quickly became a matter of when, not if, the Norwegian got offered the chance to stay on permanently in what he has always described as his "dream" job.

That moment came on Thursday.

As a reward for his better-than-expected spell in temporary charge, Solskjaer accepted a three-year contract as manager of the biggest club in England.

"This is the job that I always dreamed of doing," he said, "and I'm beyond excited to have the chance to lead the club long-term and hopefully deliver the continued success that our amazing fans deserve."

United's hierarchy is set to give some compensation to Molde, the Norwegian team that Solskjaer was coaching before his former club came calling, as a gesture of goodwill.

It's the least they can do.

When Solskaer was appointed on a temporary deal on Dec. 19, United was sixth in the Premier League and 11 points off fourth place — the last spot to gain automatic qualification for next season's Champions League.

-Soccer