Solskjaer’s side is in the middle of a pivotal week in their season, as they look to secure their first trophy under the Norwegian’s leadership.
United will head to AC Milan on Thursday for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 game, which is currently tied at 1-1 after the first meeting in Manchester.
After the difficult test, United travels to Leicester on Sunday for an FA Cup quarter-final.
Regardless of the outcomes of those games, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes he has overseen a substantial improvement in expectations since taking over from the sacked Jose Mourinho in 2018.
“When you look at the society and what happens every day, I see a lot of change in our daily routine and work,” Solskjaer said.
“The lads have taken on board what we want, and now it’s up to everyone to decide how much of a difference there is.
“We’re 12 points ahead of where we were at the same stage last season in the table. Of course, we all want to carry home awards.
“However, as we’ve previously said, a trophy will also obscure the reality of what’s going on at the club.”
Since failing in the semi-finals of four straight cup competitions, supporters and analysts alike see the next few days as crucial for Solskjaer’s job protection.
United is in second position in the Premier League under his leadership, but they are 14 points behind league leaders Manchester City.
The Europa League provided United’s last silverware in 2017, when Mourinho added it to that season’s League Cup.
Before that, Mourinho’s predecessor Louis Van Gaal won the FA Cup during his reign.
But they are United’s only major silverware since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Although he is anxious to win his first trophy as United manager, Solskjaer insists that long-term league consistency is more important.
“For me, you look at the league status and see if there’s any progress,” he said. “It’s still the season’s bread and butter to see how worthy you are of dealing with ups and downs.
“Any cup competition will grant a trophy, but it’s always more of an ego boost for managers and clubs to say, ‘We’ve actually achieved something.’
“We need to see improvement, because if we make enough progress and do well enough, the trophies will come back to the club. Yet a medal isn’t going to say, “We’re back.” “No,” she says.