‘These players are desperate to learn how to win!’ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer challenges his team to win the Carabao Cup and land his first trophy as Man United boss as they prepare to take on Everton in the quarter-finals
- Manchester United face Everton on Wednesday in Carabao Cup last eight
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is targeting the trophy as his first piece of silverware
- As a United player, the Norwegian was accustomed to winning honours
- Now he wants to instil the same kind of winning mentality in the present squad
- United reached three semi-finals last season but lost all three of them
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged Manchester United to take a step closer to landing his first trophy as manager at Old Trafford, saying: ‘These players are desperate to learn how to win.’
United were knocked out at the semi-final stage of both domestic cup competitions last season as well as the Europa League.
As they prepare to face Everton in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, Solskjaer stressed the importance of building a winning mentality.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants his Manchester United team to win their first piece of silverware in order to develop a winning mentality – and is targeting the Carabao Cup this season
United showed their class as they thrashed Leeds 6-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon
Solskjaer and Sir Alex Ferguson with the League Cup after Man United’s success in 2006
‘Yes, of course it’s something we’re aiming for,’ said the Norwegian who lifted 12 trophies as a player at United.
‘We want to improve every season and to improve on last year is to get to the final. Of course, when you get to the final there’s only one thing that matters and that’s to lift the trophy.
‘I remember myself winning my first trophy. Even towards the end of my career, it was Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic’s first trophy in the 2006 Carling Cup.
‘It does give something to a team. We are desperate to get our hands on a trophy, and these players are desperate to learn how to win.’
Even so, Solskjaer will make changes to protect his players during the busy Christmas period.
Solskjaer was a Premier League champion at the end of his first season at Manchester United (1996-97, left) and also at the end of his last campaign in 2006-07 (right)
Scott McTominay, scored of two goals against Leeds, will miss the trip to Everton in the cup
Bruno Fernandes may start on the bench at Goodison Park having played a lot in recent weeks
Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw are set to miss the game after going off in Sunday’s thumping 6-2 win over Leeds, while Solskjaer will consider resting Bruno Fernandes on the bench.
The United boss confirmed that Jesse Lingard will be in the squad having not featured since the win at Brighton in the last round at the end of September.
Edinson Cavani could make his first start in five games after recovering from a groin injury, and Mason Greenwood may also return to the line-up after making way for Dan James against Leeds.
‘Jesse will definitely be in the squad,’ said Solskjaer. ‘He’s been working hard in training. He’s been unfortunate with having to isolate a few times, being in close contact with Covid but not even having it himself.
‘Edinson’s been out with an injury for a while so we need to get him going, and Bruno is one that I also have to protect.
‘Mason’s fit enough to play. He was on the bench (against Leeds) and it just wasn’t to be for him to come on. He will be involved in the squad unless something happens in the next couple of days.’