Pranav Nair
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United should not be judged solely on trophies
Speaking to the press (h/t The Guardian) ahead of the trip to AC Milan, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made news with his criteria to judge success at Old Trafford.
The Norwegian took over from Jose Mourinho in 2018 and has since admittedly shown development. However, the promise has not translated into trophies and the drought continues to hang over his head.
But rather than see it as a noose to hang himself, Solskjaer believes it signifies progress to gently pull himself up on the rope instead.
“It’s more of an ego thing from other managers and clubs to finally win something.”
Consistency is the key, not short-term success
Solskjaer believes the club should not be judged on the trophies they win but rather by the progress made in the league.
The Red Devils currently trail only Manchester City and are looking increasingly likely to finish the Premier League season as runners up.
“In the league position you see if there’s any progress – for me, that’s always the bread and butter of the season. You see how capable you are of coping with ups and downs.”
Solskjaer believes it paints the right picture when the club is consistently fighting for trophies and not just experiencing a flash in the pan. It’s fair to say we have experienced neither in the last three years.
“It’s not like a trophy will say: ‘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 cup competition can hide the fact you’re still struggling a little bit.”
One can understand Solskjaer’s point. After all, Jose Mourinho’s trophies did little to save his job at Old Trafford.
But to dismiss the notion that trophies are nothing more than an ego instrument is to completely miss the point. Whether it has something to do with the fact that Solskjaer is yet to win a major trophy remains to be seen.
More Manchester United News
- Transfer News: Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona could cost Manchester United Erling Haaland initiative
- Transfer News: Manchester United in the fray for Yusuf Demir
- Manchester United star Nemanja Matic thrilled to play at historic San Siro
Trophies are the currency of success in sport and United have consistently come short in recent years. With a do or die trip to Milan ahead of him, Solskjaer’s comments are poorly timed and present him with an excuse in case we fall short tonight.
There will be times where we will invariably fail. Success and failure are two sides of the same coin. But what Solskajer’s comments reek of is a lack of ambition.
