Progress is more than just cup success: Ole
Solskjaer can see improvement despite wait for trophy triumph
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer believes cup success can sometimes paper over the cracks and be an “ego thing”, with the Manchester United boss focused on sustained progress ahead of the Europa League clash at AC Milan.
Having reached the semi-final stage of four successive competitions, the next few days could extinguish the Red Devils’ hopes of ending their four-year wait for a trophy.
United travel to Leicester in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday and take on Milan tonight in a Europa League last-16 encounter which is poised at 1-1 ahead of the return fixture at San Siro.
The competition provided the Old Trafford giants’ last silverware in 2016-17, when Jose Mourinho added to that season’s EFL Cup triumph after Louis van Gaal had masterminded FA Cup success the previous campaign.
They are United’s only major trophies since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and, while determined to win his first silverware in charge, Solskjaer believes there is more to progress than cup success.
“When you see the culture and what’s happening every day, I feel a lot of improvement in the everyday routine and everyday work we do,” said Solskjaer, whose side are second in the Premier League.
“The boys have taken on board what we want and it’s for others to assess how much of an improvement (has been made).
“We’re 12 points ahead of what we were at the same time in the league last season. Of course we’re all aiming to win trophies.
“But, as we’ve said, sometimes a trophy can hide the other fact what’s happening at the club.
“In the league position you see if you’re progressing, really, and sometimes in the cup tournaments you might be lucky, you might be unlucky. Draws, games decided on different factors.
“But we’re aiming to win because that’s why you play. You’re always aiming to win trophies.”
AC Milan’s Danish defender Simon Kjaer (L) celebrates scoring their last-gasp equaliser at Old Trafford
When the four-year wait for a trophy was put to Solskjaer, the United boss said: “I’ve been here for two and a half of those years now and of course coming in, as I’ve said so many times, I felt a big rebuild had to be made.
“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 from managers and clubs (that), ‘We’ve finally won something’. We need to see progress and if we progress well enough and perform well enough the trophies will come.
“But it’s not like a trophy will say that, ‘We’re back’. No. It’s the gradual progression and the consistency of being in the top of the league, in and around there, and then add the odd trophies.
“Sometimes a cup competition can hide the fact you’re still struggling a little bit.”
Solskjaer knows a thing or two about winning from his medal-laden playing days at a club that are entering a key period with injury issues easing.
Paul Pogba, who has been out since February 6 with a thigh issue, is travelling to Milan along with Donny van de Beek, but Edinson Cavani has been ruled out at the last minute.
David de Gea is back from paternity leave, but Anthony Martial is out and Eric Bailly has not travelled.