Ole Gunnar Solskjaer challenges Manchester United players to ‘learn how to win’ trophies

United lost three semi-finals last season, falling short in the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Europa League

Manchester United lost three semi-finals under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season (Getty Images)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged his Manchester United players to "learn how to win" trophies as they prepare for their EFL Cup quarter-final against Everton on Wednesday night.

Solskjaer oversaw three disappointing semi-final exits from last season's EFL Cup, FA Cup and Europa League as United fell short of winning the first trophy of his time in charge.

Those runs to the latter stages of three cup competitions has given Solskjaer's squad a taste of silverware, according to the United manager, and he believes his players are now "desperate" to take that next step.

"Of course [winning a trophy] is something we're aiming for," he said. "We want to improve every season and to improve on last year is to get to the final and, of course, when you get to the final there's only one thing that matters and that's to lift the trophy.  

"I remember myself winning my first trophy. Even towards the end of my career, I think it was Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic's first trophy in the Carling Cup, 2006 was it? I think that was their first trophy and it does give something to a team.

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"We are desperate to get our hands on a trophy, these players are desperate to learn how to win."

Solskjaer is expected to rotate his side for the trip to Goodison Park, with Jesse Lingard among those in contention to play.

Mason Greenwood could feature having watched Sunday's 6-2 win over rivals Leeds from the substitutes' bench but Bruno Fernandes is likely to be rested.

"Mason's fit enough to play, he was on the bench," Solskjaer said. "Of course, Luke [Shaw] came off with an injury so that had to be done, Edinson [Cavani]'s been out with an injury for a while, we need to get him going and Bruno is one that I also have to protect. 

"It just wasn't to be for Mason to come [against Leeds] and he will be involved in the squad unless something happens in the next couple of days."

On Lingard, Solskjaer added: "Jesse will be in the squad. He's been working hard in training. He's been unfortunate with having to isolate a few times, been in contact, or close contact with Covid, not even having it himself.  

"He's been very unlucky being away from the training ground a few times. He works really hard and he'll be involved in the squad, definitely, on Wednesday."