Progress made... but this is just the start
PAUL Scholes tends to be a man of few words and on this occasion he only needed five.
United had just seen off the challenge of Leicester and recorded a 2-0 victory on the final day of the Premier League season, clinching third place and, crucially, a spot in next season’s Champions League.
And Scholes’ reaction was typically understated, yet it perfectly reflected how United supporters should feel after a topsy-turvy campaign finally came to its conclusion.
Writing on Instagram, the former United midfielder said: “Big achievement? No!... Progress? Yes!”
It’s an appropriately contrite summary of the campaign for a number of reasons, not least because
Scholes was a key member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s trophywinning dynasty at Old Trafford and knows what it takes to win league titles.
By Ferguson’s standards, finishing third was no achievement at all – he never finished lower in the Premier League – and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows that just as well as Scholes. That’s why United’s manager and players did not go overboard when celebrating their ‘achievement’ at the denouement of the campaign.
While Jose Mourinho and Tottenham were hugging and smiling after qualifying for the Europa League, the United reaction was more muted. Even on social media, there were caveats from most supporters.
You could have forgiven a few selfies in the changing room, and Solskjaer certainly deserved a moment to enjoy the turnaround in United’s fortunes since the signing of Bruno Fernandes, but the message from the Norwegian after the Leicester win was clear.
“Please don’t praise me too much, because you can be complacent, that’s just the way I’m made,” he said at the King Power Stadium. “Third with this team has been a massive achievement by everyone.
“I’m delighted. We’ve achieved a Champions League spot, we’ve come from way, way behind teams and gone past them. We’ve shown that we’ve got the consistency, the right mentality. We’re building a group and a performance culture here that we can be proud of.”
Before the game, Solskjaer had warned that the ‘journey’ was far more important than one game in the East Midlands – whatever the outcome – and it’s heartening to see he has remained consistent in his determination to build a side that one day may be capable of emulating Ferguson’s teams.
Having Champions League football to attract players will help that project progress this summer.
Even a current player in Victor Lindelof, who has never tasted Premier League glory with United, knew the score. “When you play for this club you should always play in the Champions League,” he said after a mammoth performance at Leicester. “Now we’re back in the Champions League and it’s time for us to start winning trophies as well.”
United’s first opportunity to pick up silverware will come rather soon, as they resume their Europa League campaign next month.
After that, it will be a matter of securing the right transfers, developing the current side and continuing to push through youngsters from the academy, as has been Solskjaer’s way since he inherited the manager’s job.
A Premier League title challenge has eluded United since 2013 and the retirement of a certain legendary Scottish manager. In truth it has never been close and there have been numerous false dawns after top four finishes.
But you suspect Ferguson would have been delighted to see the reaction from ex-players, current players and the incumbent United boss to an achievement which is no achievement at all.
Solskjaer will insist he is only just getting started, but the foundations are in place.
By Ferguson’s standards, finishing third was no achievement at all – he never finished lower in the Premier League