Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warns Liverpool it will be difficult to dominate like Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits it hurts to see Liverpool lift the title after 30 years but believes it will be difficult for Manchester United‘s arch rivals to dominate as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side did.
Solskjaer offered his congratulations to Jurgen Klopp and his players after Manchester City‘s defeat at Chelsea on Thursday night confirmed Liverpool as champions.
He said: ‘First of all, any team that wins the championship and a Premier League deserve it and deserve credit. It’s a hard league to win, so well done to Jurgen and his players.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits it hurts to see Liverpool win the title
Andy Robertson, Dejan Lovren and Virgil van Dijk (L-R) celebrate Liverpool’s title triumph
Joe Gomez (left) and Georginio Wijnaldum savour their moment of glory on Thursday night
‘Every time you see anyone else lift the trophy it hurts. I reckon that’s the feeling everyone associated with Man United, players supporters, we want to get back to winning ways and that’s our challenge.’
United went 26 years without a league title before winning it 13 times 20 years under Ferguson, and Solskajer doesn’t expect Liverpool to dominate in the same way.
‘The run of titles we won under Sir Alex isn’t going be easy for anyone to emulate,’ he added. ‘Sir Alex was a master of staying at the top.
‘Our challenge is to make sure we don’t go 26 years until the next time we win it or more, we’re going to do everything we can to shorten the distance or go past them.
Solskjaer, pictured with Sir Alex Ferguson and their 1999 trophy Treble in 2001, does not believe Liverpool will dominate English football like Manchester United did under the Scot
Solskjaer lifts the Premier League trophy after helping Manchester United to success in 1997
Fabinho (left) and Roberto Firmino celebrate after City’s defeat at Chelsea confirmed the title
Solskjaer has offered his congratulations to counterpart Jurgen Klopp for winning the league
‘I don’t think it’s time to say how far we’re behind. We are in a position now we have to improve. One, we have to get in the Champions League, higher up in the league, start challenging, that consistency and efficiency is a challenge.
‘At our best we are very good, we have to do that whatever day it is – Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday – do it again and again, that’s the challenge for our players going forward.’
Solskjaer hopes to launch a new era of success at United by winning the FA Cup this season as he prepares to face Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday evening.
Aside from lifting the trophy twice as a player, the former United striker’s personal highlight in the FA Cup was a fourth-round winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford in 1999.
United return to action against Norwich in the FA Cup after beating Sheffield United 3-0
‘When I was a young boy back home, it was always the last game and climax of the season broadcast live on telly in Norway,’ added the United boss.
‘That goal against them was the best moment in the FA Cup for me except for when you walk up (to get the trophy in ’99). That was a proud moment for me and my dad was in the stands. I lifted it twice and hopefully I get a chance to go there again.
‘I’m not sure if the youngsters nowadays really understand how much it means but our players certainly realised.’
