Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, coach of Manchester United, congratulated his Liverpool rivals for clinching their first league title in 30 years, but admitted that it always hurts to see someone else lift the trophy. The team coached by Jürgen Klopp captured the title of English champion on Thursday for the first time since 1990 when Chelsea beat Manchester City 2-1.
“First of all, any team that wins the championship and a Premier League deserves it and deserves credit, is a difficult league to win,” Solskjaer said at a virtual press conference on Friday. “Good job, Jürgen and his players.”
“Every time you see someone lift the trophy it hurts. I think that is the feeling of everyone associated with Manchester United: players and supporters. We want to win again and that is our challenge ”.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United won 13 league titles in 20 years between 1993 and 2013, but Solskjaer believes it will be difficult for the Klopp team to emulate that sustained success.
“I don't think it's easy for anyone to emulate or copy the series of titles we won with Sir Alex,” said Solskjaer, who has won six league titles as a player with Ferguson.
Manchester United will face Norwich in the FA Cup quarterfinals and Solskjaer said that winning this title could encourage them for further success in the future. “Our team is now a new team, and getting the first trophy and winning the first title would be fantastic and hopefully a catalyst for what's to come,” added the Norwegian coach.