Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he wants to win trophies with the club, but this isn't the only way to measure success.
United realistically have two chances left to win silverware this season, with Manchester City 14 points ahead of them in the Premier League table.
Solskjaer's side take on AC Milan in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday night before they face Leicester City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the Milan game, he said he is eager to win his first trophy as manager of the club, but fans should also have prospective.
“Of course, we are all wanting to win trophies at this club. But sometimes a trophy can hide the other facts of what is happening at the club.
"It's in the league position you see if you're progressing really. Sometimes in the cup tournaments, you might be lucky; you might be unlucky with draws and games that are decided on different factors.
“But, of course, we're aiming to win; that's what's required in football and you're always aiming to win trophies."
United's last outright success in a competition was when they won the Europa League back in 2017, when José Mourinho was manager.
Solskjaer was then appointed United boss, initially in a caretaker capacity, in December 2018,.
He has suffered four semi-final defeats in that time.
As well as saying in his Wednesday afternoon press conference that lifting a trophy does not necessarily signal return to glory for a club, Solskjaer also suggested trophy-chasing was 'an ego thing' for some managers.
“I think you have to say that when you see the culture of what's happening every day, I feel a lot of improvement in the everyday routine, the everyday work.
"The boys have taken on everything I want. It's for others to assess how much we've improved. We're 12 points ahead of where we were in the league this time last season.
“I have been here for two-and-a-half of those years [since United last won a trophy in 2017] now and coming in, I felt a big rebuild had to made.
“It’s in the league position that you see if there has been progress. That's how you see if you are capable of coping with ups and downs.
"If we play well, the trophies will return. But a trophy won't say ’we’re back’.
"We need the consistency of being top of the league and then winning some trophies. A cup can hide that you are struggling a little bit."
