Manchester United have failed to win a trophy since 2017 – but with the signings of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo, the pressure is on to end the drought
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Ole discusses Ronaldo debut
Cristiano Ronaldo is adamant Manchester United ‘need’ to win the Premier League this season – and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinks he has the squad to do it.
Solskjaer is yet to win a trophy since replacing Jose Mourinho in the Old Trafford dugout in 2018.
It has been a case of close but no cigar under the Norwegian’s stewardship, losing out in four semi-finals, before suffering penalty heartache in the Europa League final last season.
Despite the lack of silverware, the United boss was given a vote of confidence when handed a new three-year contract during the summer.
He was then heavily backed in the transfer window, bringing in Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Ronaldo.
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Arriving with a track record as a serial winner, Ronaldo has reportedly made it clear to his new teammates that they must win trophies immediately.
Ronaldo has reportedly already been in touch with Red Devils talisman Bruno Fernandes, to inform the dressing room that they need to win the Premier League.
And according to the Sun, Solskjaer is confident his current crop can achieve that, ranking them above the legendary squad which won the treble in 1999.
Solskjaer was a part of that team under Sir Alex Ferguson, but believes his charges compare favourably to that all-conquering side.
Previously, he has claimed that winning trophies was an “ego thing” for managers, but has recently changed his tune ahead of the new campaign.
“There’s always pressure to win the league and to win trophies,” said Solskjaer last month.. “It doesn’t matter if you have a 10-year contract; if you don’t do well, you go.
“You feel under pressure all the time. It’s not just about clinging on to your job, it’s about the responsibility in my hands. We’ve got millions of fans.
“It feels like this season coming up is one of the strongest Premier League seasons. It’s been City and Liverpool fighting it out for a while but us and Chelsea have spent well and should look at ourselves as potential challengers.”
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Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp believes Solskjaer is now under ‘tremendous pressure’ to deliver trophies, with their last coming under Mourinho in 2017.
“That brings tremendous pressure because now, not having won anything at Manchester United, he has to win something,” Redknapp told Sky Sports News. “Ole now, as excited as he is, this will bring a lot of sleepless nights trying to keep everybody happy in that football club.”
After three games of the season, United have seven points from a possible nine, while their Champions League schedule begins later this month with a visit to Switzerland to face Young Boys.