The former Manchester United captain has warned his old teammate that finishing second-best won’t be good enough.
Only trophies can justify the progress Manchester United have made under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to Gary Neville.
A 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday kept United a point above Leicester City in second place in the Premier League table. It was the club’s second successive league win following a 2-0 derby win at Manchester City.
As impressive as recent results maybe, though, Solskjaer’s side still lie 17 points behind City albeit with a game in hand. Hopes of a league title, therefore, are small. It leaves United’s best chance of silverware in the FA Cup or Europa League.
“The FA Cup has become critical to this football club this season,” said ex-Red Devils defender Neville on his Sky Sports podcast.
“The League Cup and FA Cup has been the starting point for Manchester United teams over the last 15 to 20 years.
“If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is going to be successful at this club, he not only needs to finish second in the Premier League, but he has to win a trophy. That would be seen as real progress. Then you’re attracting players next season to try and catch Manchester City.
“I think it’s a brilliant week. Beating Manchester City the way they did, and winning on Sunday.
“If you’d have said to Solskjaer at the start of the week you’ll beat Manchester City, beat West Ham and draw 1-1 with Milan, he’d have snapped your hand off. Going into that Manchester derby, they were under real pressure.”
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