Erik ten Hag responds to Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s trophy claim after Man United criticism

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has responded to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s claims about winning trophies following criticism.

The Reds have had a mixed start to the season, winning two of their opening four Premier League fixtures.

Erik ten Hag will hope the most recent win against Southampton will provide a stepping stone for improved performances and results. They won 3-0 away from home.

It was an important result for the manager, who seemed to already be under pressure three games into the season, but he continued to speak about one, well actually, two things.

In the prior weeks, Ten Hag seemed to be unable to stop talking about his two trophy wins as United boss, almost shutting down those who were doubting his approach.

What Ole Gunnar Solskjær said about trophies

This led many fans to criticise Ten Hag and recall Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s previous comments about trophies as United manager.

Solskjær failed to lift any silverware during his stint as Reds boss, with the team coming closest in the 2021 Europa League final, which they lost after penalties.

“In the league position, you see if there’s any progress for me, that’s always the bread and butter of the season that you see how capable you are of coping with ups and downs,” Solskjaer said in 2021.

“Any cup competition can give you a trophy, but sometimes it’s more of an ego thing from other managers and clubs to finally win something.

“But we need to see progress and if we perform well enough the trophies will end up at the club again. It’s not like a trophy will say that we’re back, no.

Solskjær finished second and third in his two full Premier League campaigns as United boss.

Ten Hag responds to Solskjær

During his pre-match press conference for the upcoming clash against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, the current United manager was asked about these comments.

Asked whether he agrees that the league is the most important thing, Ten Hag responded: “I think all the leagues (competitions) are important.

“In top football, at the end of the day, it’s about winning trophies and hitting the targets. You set some targets in the season but also longer term where you want to grow into, therefore you have a strategy and then follow the strategy and develop and progress the team.

“Something tells when you win one of the five leagues, then you hit some targets and you did your job well.”

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