Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was honest back in 2021 about where he feared Manchester United were heading (Image: Getty)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's verdict on how one trophy could still hide "struggles" at a club looks to be coming true for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. Goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah secured a seismic win for Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, and handed Ten Hag another defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals.
Ten Hag was questioned on the coaching at United after they fell to the 3-0 defeat, meaning they have started the new season with just one win under their belts, along with two defeats from their three games played since losing the Community Shield.
But the United boss didn't seem to have the same view of their defeat to Liverpool as many supporters would, as he was quick to highlight his trophy haul at the club. Ten Hag said: "Are you sure? I don't think so… or you wouldn't win trophies like we did and to beat big opponents. I'm sorry for you. After Manchester City, we won the most trophies."
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This viewpoint of United's successes - which included a surprise FA Cup win over Manchester City last season - is exactly what Solskjaer spoke about towards the end of his tenure at the club. The former United player and manager explained in 2021 that winning the "odd trophy" doesn't always show a level of improvement, and could be papering over the cracks in the team.
While Solskjaer did not manage to win any silverware while managing United, he doesn't believe that winning a trophy is an accurate representation of progress at the club.
The 51-year-old said: "It’s more of an ego thing for managers and clubs. 'We’ve finally won something'.
Ten Hag doesn't seem to sense any trouble at United (Image: Getty)
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"We need to see progress and if we progress well enough and we perform well enough, the trophies will end up at the club again. But it’s not like a trophy will say that we’re back.
"No, it’s the gradual progression and the consistency of being in the top of the league, in and around there, and then add the odd trophies. Sometimes a cup competition can hide the fact that you’re still struggling a little bit."
United currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, with one win over Fulham and two defeats to Liverpool and Brighton etching a poor start to the season for the Red Devils.
While new owners INEOS have placed their faith in Ten Hag after the FA Cup win over City, the contract extension for the Dutchman may well spell trouble for the club in the future if they have to wield the axe this season.
