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Solskjaer says winning trophies won’t be a sure sign of Man Utd progress

ole gunnar Solskjaer - Manchester United
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The Norwegian manager appears to have taken a swipe at his Old Trafford predecessors over their silverware-chasing mentality.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists winning trophies is “more of an ego thing” for some managers and that the league position is a better indicator of the team’s progress.

Solskjaer guided Man United to a treble as a player but he is yet to win a trophy with the club as a manager.

Eight long years have passed since the 20-time Premier League champions last won the league title, and four years have gone by since they last lifted any piece of silverware.

It was Jose Mourinho who led the club to major trophy, which came in the shape of the Europa League back in 2017.

Mourinho also led United to League Cup and Community Shield success while his predecessor Louis van Gaal brought FA Cup glory at Old Trafford.

“I’ve been here for two-and-a-half of those years and, coming in, as I’ve said so many times, I felt a big rebuild had to be made,” Solskjaer said, via Goal.

“In the league position you see if there’s any progress. For me, that’s always the bread and butter of the season, that you see how capable you are of coping with ups and downs. Any cup competition can give you a trophy but sometimes it’s more of an ego thing for other managers and clubs to finally win something.

“But we need to see progress and, if we perform well enough, the trophies will end up at the club again. It’s not like a trophy will say that ‘we’re back’, no. It’s the gradual progression of being in and around the top of the league and the consistency, and the odd trophies. Sometimes a cup competition can hide the fact you’re still struggling a little bit.”

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