Liverpool title win 'hurts' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but predicts no repeat of Man United dominance under Sir Alex

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted it “hurts” Manchester United to see Liverpool crowned champions but claimed Sir Alex Ferguson’s period of dominance is unlikely to ever be repeated.

Jurgen Klopp has delivered the Merseysiders their first league title in 30 years and Solskjaer is determined to provide a serious challenge to them next season.

He is convinced United – who have gone 13 games unbeaten since January – are moving in the right direction and could yet end his first full campaign in charge with silverware in the form of the FA Cup and Europa League.

But he knows the Premier League title is the trophy he must deliver – seven years after Ferguson’s last triumph.

“Any team that wins the championship and a Premier League deserve it and deserve credit,” he said. “It’s a hard league to win, well done to Jurgen and his players.

“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.

“The run of titles that we won under Sir Alex, I don’t think that’s going to be easy for anyone to emulate or copy.

“Sir Alex was a master of staying at the top so, for me, our challenge is to make sure we don’t go, say, 26 years until the next time we win it or more.

“We’re going to do everything we can to shorten the distance or even go past them of course.”

Solskjaer added: “I don’t think it’s time to say how far you’re behind (we are). We are in a position now we have to improve.

“We have to get in the Champions League, get higher up in the league, start challenging - that consistency and efficiency is a challenge.

“We know at our best we are very, very good, we have to do that every Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or whatever day it is. We have got to do it again and again. That’s the challenge for our players going forward.”

In Pictures | Liverpool players celebrate Premier League 2019-20 title

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United travel to Norwich in the FA Cup quarter final on Saturday, with Solskjaer hoping a first taste of success will lead to more.

“I think first of all the FA Cup is a fantastic tournament, a fantastic final to play a part in, a fantastic trophy to lift,” he said. “For our team, it’s a new team and to get hands on a first trophy and win a first title would be fantastic and hopefully a catalyst for more things to come.

“So we are focused on doing our best, getting through to the next round and hopefully to the final.”

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