Solskjaer’s trophy vision

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has warned his rivals that Manchester United are heading back to the top.

They have not won the Premier League since 2013 and face a desperate battle just to secure a top four finish this season.

But they head into today’s lunchtime kickoff at Fulham on the back of a 10-game unbeaten run since Solskjaer was appointed on a caretaker basis in December.

He is convinced the good times are heading back to Old Trafford and that United will be challenging for all the major trophies again before too long.

“Challenging for every trophy there is, of course we have to do that. That’s what we should be about,” said the Premier League’s manager of the month for January.

“We have to move slowly because we are fifth at the moment, we’ve been sixth (for so long) and it seemed like we were never going to move away from that sixth position.

“There are six very, very good teams and all with a challenge for the trophies. But we’ve got the resources and the infrastructure and the history to move towards the top – and that is the only way we should think about things.

“That is what we have to strive for. If we don’t dream and we don’t have that vision of where we are going, then we will just falter.

“You’ve got to catch up the other teams ahead of us, especially Manchester City, Liverpool and now Tottenham.

Convinced

“Next year, you always hope, of course. I came in from Molde, who were 10th in 2010, and in 2011 we won the league, so you can never say never.

“For us, or me, I am only used to this club challenging for trophies – so that is where I see us.” Solskjaer is convinced United will secure Champions League qualification and admits he’s also plotting the future of the team with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

He added: “I’m very confident because as a group, they show me they have the character, they have the belief and they have the quality to keep improving.

“That’s what we have to think about – how we can improve. We have to improve to get to where we are (going).

“That gives me the confidence and belief – what I have seen at the training ground.

“We have a vision and picture of how we want to look in a few years and we have to think long term and also short term.

“I’ve got a picture of what this team should look in a couple of years, but I put my views to Ed and the club.”

United have announced that Phil Jones has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2023.