FIRST CUP IS THE DEEPEST

United legend Robbo tells Ole: It’s great to see the good times back at the club... but they must win a trophy to show they can challenge Liverpool and City

BRYAN ROBSON believes Manchester United must win a trophy under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to prove they are a major force again.

United go into tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on a 19-game unbeaten run and playing their best football since the all-conquering glory days under

Sir Alex Ferguson

( far right).

Solskjaer’s side have beaten

Chelsea three times this season and hauled themselves right back into the race for a top-four place in the Premier League with two games left.

Against that backdrop, the mood at United could not be more upbeat, but former skipper Robson feels they need to land a first trophy to pave the way for other silverware to follow.

“These next few weeks are going to really define just where the lads are up to,” said Robson.

“In my last couple of years at the club, when we won the first

Premier League, then the Double the next season, we’d look at each other and think, ‘Nah, we’ll not get beat today.’

“That’s how you get that confidence and belief in each other to go on and win things.

“I think United are getting close to that but what they have to do is win something to get that belief that they can really challenge Liverpool and Manchester City next season.”

Robson, 63, who made 461 appearances and scored 99 goals for United, said their revival is vindication for Solskjaer and his overhaul of the squad he inherited from Jose Mourinho.

“Ole has done a fantastic job, with the way the club wanted him to come in, get some of the older players out and bring some of the younger lads through,” said Robson. “He’s knitted them together really well and his signings have been excellent, players like Harry Maguire, Aaron Wanbissaka and Bruno Fernandes.

“That’s why they’re on a run like they are now, because his signings have been great. I was a manager for 12 years and I’ve always said you need a bit of time.

“You’re judged on your signings and, if you recruit well, the team will be decent.

“I think the thing United fans are really pleased about is the type of football we’re playing right now.

“It’s attacking and quick-breaking, what United fans were used to under Sir Alex and even before that.”

already this term and Blues boss Lampard is anxious that those numbers do not spill over into their FA Cup semi-final tomorrow. It is the third time the teams have met this season – with VAR controversy working in United’s favour in two of them. Add in Bruno Fernandes’ winning a soft spot-kick at Aston Villa, plus Victor Lindelof (above) avoiding censure for bundling over Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha on Thursday, and Lampard has warned his players to be careful. He said: “They have to be. Because when players of such high level, quality and speed of the United forwards travel quickly you have to move your feet and not dive in on them. “You must understand the opposition’s qualities. “We can talk about VAR decisions and if they’re right or wrong. But if a player is going to dangle a leg then you leave yourself open to penalties.”