Solskjaer: We are desperate to get hands on a trophy
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has cited the experiences Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra enjoyed in winning their first trophy with United behind his eagerness to win the Carabao Cup. The defenders joined the Reds in January 2006 and endured chastening starts to their Premier League careers, but collected winner’s medals in the 4-0 League Cup final thrashing of Wigan the following month.
Then boss Sir Alex Ferguson introduced the duo, as well as Kieran Richardson, off the bench and was scolded by Ruud van Nistelrooy, disgruntled that he was unused in the Cardiff final.
Both Vidic and
Evra became everpresents in Ferguson’s last great United side, each winning five Premier League titles and starting in the club’s three Champions League final appearances between 2008 and 2011.
As United prepare for their Carabao Cup quarter-final at Everton tonight, Solskjaer recalled the importance winning silverware had on his former team-mates.
“Yes, of course it’s something we’re aiming for,” Solskjaer said when asked about winning the trophy.
“We want to improve every season and to improve on last year is to get to the final and, of course, when you get to the final there’s only one thing that matters and that’s to lift the trophy. “I remember myself winning my first trophy. Even towards the end of my career, I think it was Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic’s first trophy in the Carling Cup, 2006. That was their first trophy and it does give something to a team.
It’s really important this season that we try and get out hands on silverware and win a trophy Harry Maguire
“We are desperate to get our hands on a trophy, these players are desperate to learn how to win.”
The Reds reached three semifinals last season, but their last trophy came in 2017 when they won the Europa League final under Jose Mourinho.
Captain Harry Maguire said the players were well aware of the expectation on them to add to the club’s long list of honours.
Of the 19-man matchday squad which faced Leeds in Sunday’s 6-2 victory, 11 players have yet to win a trophy with United.
Maguire, one of that group, admits that has to change.
“It’s really important this season that we try and get our hands on silverware and win a trophy,” he said.
“At this club we’re expected to win trophies and we go into this game full of confidence from the result (against Leeds).
“We’ve got to start winning trophies, we haven’t 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.”