Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set his sights on bringing the Premier League trophy back to Manchester United after being confirmed as permanent boss.
Solskjaer has signed a three-year deal worth £7.5million a year, and admitted his immediate aim is to make United champions again. They haven't won the title since 2012-13, his mentor Sir Alex Ferguson's final season before retiring.
The Red Devils' now former interim boss said he was a “happy and determined” man, but said his aim was to walk out of Old Trafford a “proud man” when he leaves — having won the title.
“If I can walk out of here, when leaving the club, having won things - of course the Premier League - then I’d be a proud man,” said Solskjaer.
How Ole Gunnar Solskjaer convinced Ed Woodward he was 'perfect fit' for Man Utd
“I’m a happy man, I’m a determined man — but the day I walk out of here, I hope to be a proud man.
“To lift the Premier League trophy again is what we expect and what we’re used to and it’s what we’ve done so many times. We can’t wait for too many years, but we have to take it step by step. It’s not like it’s going to happen overnight, catching 15, 16 or 17 points or whatever we are behind the top teams now.”
Solskjaer has landed the job full-time after a remarkable run that's seen United take 32 points from 39 to get them back in the race for a top-four place.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer full transcript from first interview as permanent Man Utd manager
The former United striker says they should be up there in the mix for the title, rather than fighting to make the top four, and challenged his players to do just that next season.
“We take confidence from our performances and results lately,” said the Norwegian.
“The league is decided by margins, but if you have the belief, if you have the confidence, the togetherness, the work-rate and attitude, you’ll get those margins. That’s when you’ll win games and suddenly end up challenging for trophies.”
United have paid Solskjaer’s previous club, Norway's Molde, around £500,000 as a ‘goodwill gesture’ for allowing them to appoint the 46-year-old full-time.
.jpg?w=600)
