Aniket Rai
Gary Neville makes trophy claim as he questions Manchester United progress under Solskjaer
Speaking on his podcast (h/t Sky Sports), Gary Neville claimed that Manchester United need to win a trophy in order to mark actual progress under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The club has not won a trophy since 2017, which came under former manager Jose Mourinho. Solskjaer was appointed by the club in March 2019, and is yet to win silverware at Old Trafford.
The club has, however, reached four semi-finals under him. And there is a chance they can get their hands on a trophy this season despite not being in the title race and being out of the EFL Cup.
The Red Devils take on AC Milan this Thursday in the 2nd leg of the UEFA Europa League last-16 tie at San Siro. The game is intricately balanced at an aggregate scoreline of 1-1.
Time to break the trophy duck
On Sunday, they have the task of facing a potent Leicester City side in the FA Cup quarter-final. And Gary Neville believes that winning one trophy would mark progress under the Norwegian.
“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.”
He highlighted the importance of the domestic cups and the need to win at least one of them. United are in the FA Cup but were knocked out by Manchester City from the EFL Cup semi-final in January 2021.
“The League Cup and FA Cup has been the starting point for Manchester United teams over the last 15 to 20 years.”
More Manchester United News:
- Jamie Carragher weighs in on Dean Henderson continuing as Manchester United number one
- Solskjaer keen to sell four Manchester United stars to boost his summer transfer kitty
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to hold final say on Manchester United transfers
United have won the FA Cup just twice in the 21st Century, with their last triumph coming in 2016. This is a great time for the team to set that statistic right.
