Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a contrasting opinion to Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag. (Image: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has consistently had the same answer when quizzed over his disappointment at Manchester United, that his two trophies negated certain criticism levelled further by a 3-0 drubbing at home at the hands of Tottenham on Sunday.
United were already down 1-0 and struggling in the match before their skipper was sent for an early bath, prompting more questions over whether Ten Hag is the right head coach to lead them into the future.
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A review took place over the summer and INEOS concluded that the Dutchman would have his contract extended, off the back of a FA Cup final victory over local rivals Manchester City.
That cup win, coupled with Carabao Cup success the previous year, has long been preached by Ten Hag as signs that point towards a project that can succeed if faith is kept in the 54-year-old.
Having started the month with a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford, this time to Liverpool, Ten Hag doubled down on this stance. After being told fans wouldn’t agree with his upbeat reaction, he replied: "Are you sure? I don't think so... or you wouldn't win trophies like we did and beat big opponents. I'm sorry for you. After Manchester City, we won the most trophies."
Erik ten Hag after Manchester United's defeat to Tottenham. (Image: Getty)
But patience is being tested already just two months into the campaign, with comparisons drawn to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s own opinion and his dismissal that such trophies indicate long-term success.
“Sometimes the trophy can hide other things that are happening at the club. It’s in the league positions that you see whether you’re progressing," Solskjaer said in March 2021.
“It’s not like a trophy will say that we’re back. It’s the gradual progression and the consistency of being top of the league, in and around there, and the odd trophies. Sometimes the cup competition can hide the fact you’re still struggling a bit.”
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???????????? - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer:
"A trophy does NOT mean you're back. It's the gradual progression and consistency of being at the top of the league.
"Sometimes, a cup competition can hide the fact that you're still struggling."
Solskjaer’s view is damning. He lasted over three years in charge before being replaced by Ralf Rangnick and then Ten Hag, but was abundantly aware that winning domestic cups is not enough for a club of United’s stature.
The current boss, however, is still banging the drum of his famous Wembley victories.
Solskjaer disagrees with that viewpoint and it remains to be seen which of the coaches INEOS ultimately side with, as pressure continues to rise ahead of potentially crucial upcoming matches against Porto in the Europa League and then a trip to Aston Villa.
