‘It’s time to show everyone
ED BOY Striker Cavani in training yesterday
MANCHESTER UNITED manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits the pressure on him to win trophies is mounting. Solskjaer has still to land his first piece of silverware at Old Trafford, more than two years after replacing Jose Mourinho. United have not won anything since lifting the Europa League in 2017 and have not challenged for the league title since last claiming it back in 2013. Solskjaer can take a huge step towards breaking his duck tonight when United meet Everton at Goodison Park in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
United lost three semifinals last season to see the trophy drought continue and Solskjaer (right) knows this has to change.
The Norwegian says he is desperate to get his hands on something to reward his efforts, and that his current stars have to learn how to win big games.
Solskjaer, who won 12 major trophies during his playing career with United, said: “Yes, of course it’s something we are aiming for. We want to improve, and to improve on last year is to get to the final. And when you get to the final there’s only one thing that matters – that’s to lift the trophy.
“I remembermember winning my first trophy.phy. And even towards the end of my career,er, when I think it was Patrice Evra andd Nemanja Vidic’s firstrst trophy in the Carlingarling Cup in 2006. .
“I think nk that was s their first trophy and it does give something to a team. “We are desperate to get our hands on a trophy. These players are desperate to learn how to win.” Harry Maguire echoed his managermanager’ss message regarding bringinbringing trophies back tto Old Trafford.
He said: “ItIt’s really important this season that we try aand get our hands oon silversilverware. “At this club we’re expected
to win trophies. We have not won in the last two or three years now and it’s important.
“It’s an important competition for ourselves to build momentum and confidence.”
Solskjaer, meanwhile, has promised to bring forgotten man Jesse Lingard in from the cold when United take on Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
The England international has made just two appearances this season.
Both of those were in the Carabao Cup and Lingard has not been seen in a
United shirt since September. But Solskjaer er said: “Jesse will be in the he squad. He’s been working ng hard in training.
“He’s been unfortunate with having to isolate a few times. He’s been in contact, or close contact, with Covid, although he’s not even had it himself.
“He’s been very unlucky cky being away from the training aining ground a few times. He works really hard and he’ll e’ll be involved in the squad, d, yes, definitely.”
SIT IT OUT Fernandes and Fred taking a breather