Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Man Utd do not need to win trophies to show progress

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted Manchester United do not need to win trophies to prove that they are progressing.

United have not lifted any silverware since securing the Europa League back in 2017, though they remain in that competition and the FA Cup this season.

Speaking before his side's Europa League round of 16 second leg against Milan, Solskjaer said that while he does want to win trophies, it is not the only measure of progress.

"We are 12 points ahead of what we were at the same time in the league last season and of course we're aiming to win trophies but as we've said, sometimes a trophy can hide what's happening at the club," Solskjaer said (via ESPN).

"In the league position you see if you're progressing really and sometimes in the cup tournaments you might be lucky or unlucky with draws, games decided on different factors. Of course we're aiming to win, that's why you play football, you're aiming to win trophies."

Solskjaer went on to aim at dig at managers who stress the importance of silverware for "ego" reasons.

"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 of ups and downs 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," he said.

"It's not like a trophy will say that we're back, no. It's the gradual progression of being in and around the top of the league and the consistency and the odd trophies sometimes a cup competition can hide the fact you're still struggling a little bit."

United go into the Thursday's second leg at San Siro with the scores level at 1-1. A few days later they face Leicester in the FA Cup quarter finals.