Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

[BP]

When Alex Ferguson failed to sign Alan Shearer , he settled for this unknown player who scored 31 goals in 42 matches for Molde in the Norwegian Premier League. He joined United on 29 July 1996, for a transfer fee of £1.5m.

Solskjaer scored 18 Premiership goal in his first season at Old Trafford which helped United win the title that season.

The Media nickname him the "Baby-Faced Assassin" for his youthful looks and deadly finishing . He'll be remembered as a ''Super-Sub'',because of his habit of coming into matches late on as a substitute and scoring vital goals .

Solskjaer enjoyed life at OT and decided to stay even though a number of clubs showed interest in 1998 including Tottenham Hotspur .United fans were grateful , as he went on to score the winning goal in the 1999 UEFA CL Final against Bayern Munich , helping the team win the Treble.

After a few years of playing the role of '' Super-Sub'' , Solskjaer got a chance as a starter in the 2001-02 season with paired up with Ruud Van Nistelrooy , forcing Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke onto the bench.

By 2002-03 both A.Cole and D.Yorke had left United , Solskjaer had only Diego Forlan to compete with in the starting line-up .

In 2003-04 Solskjaer found himself out of the United squad as he struggled with a recurring knee problem and with the arrival of Louis Saha from Fulham in Jan. 2004 and Alan Smith led to rumors that Ole was set to leave OT , Solskjaer still returned in time to play in the FA Cup Final .

Solskjær underwent intensive knee surgery in August 2004 and had to miss the 2004-05 season entirely.

Solskjær made his long-awaited return to action on December 5, 2005, playing for United's reserves against Liverpool , His return to full fitness slowly continued with regular appearances in the reserves.

Solskjær returned to Premiership action in August 23, 2006 when he scored in an away match against Charlton Athletic, his first Premiership goal since April 2003. Ferguson commented after the match that "it was a great moment for Ole, United fans everywhere, the players and the staff" and that "Ole has been through a torrid time with injuries for the last two years, but he's persevered and never lost faith and has got his repayment tonight. Everyone is over the moon for him."

He continued playing at an excellent form until after a match against Reading , Solskjaer had further surgery on his knee, but it wasnt serious as his previous operations and he was put out of action for only a month.

On 31 March 2006, Solskjær signed a new contract with Manchester United until the end of the 2008 season, In an interview in July covered on ManUtd.com, Solskjær refused to put a timescale on his professional career, but he was confident he would play out the one year left in his contract at Manchester United ,Solskjær confirmed he would train to be a coach after retiring from professional football.

On August 27, 2007 it was announced that Solskjaer had retired from football due to his ongoing knee injury , Solskjaer holds the record for the most goals scored for Manchester United as a substitute, scoring 28 goals off the bench.

After his retirement it was confirmed that Solskjaer ill continue to work for Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford as First-Team Strikers Coach.

[Derfil]

Ole!! I love this player, he knows his job and knows exactly how to do it!!
We will surly miss him

[reddevil4life]

ole what a legend he was amazing great player i miss him very much it was a sad day when he said he was going to retire

[REdBloodED woMan]

TBH, I missed him already!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wished i can shout OLE come back!!!!

[REdBloodED woMan]

You guys know what i regret about Ole the most? His celebration after the 99 goals. I wished he didnt slide his knee like that, & if there is a single thing i would change i would change that particular moment to jumping & punch his fist instead.


I like how he changed our game whenever he come in as a sub. Very rare we see him loose his cool on the pitch & his eye for goals can be seen. Really missed his intelligence. Thankfully, he is still around even thou im still sad wont be able to see him as often anymore.

[reddevil4life]

same here but ole was just unlucky

[REdBloodED woMan]

Full Name [glow=red,2,300]Ole Gunnar Solskjaer [/glow]
Date of Birth 26th Feburary 1973
Place of Birth Kristiansund,
Norway

Position Forward
Height 5ft 10
United debut 25/8/1996
Blackburn (H)


Solskjaer's United Record
1996-2007

Appearances Goals
League 151 (84) 91
FA Cup 15 (15) 8
League Cup 8 (3) 7
Europe 36 (45) 20
Other games 6 (3) 0
Total 216 (150) 126


Solskjaer's International Record
1993-2005

67 Caps - 24 goals
..
Honours with United

1997 F.A. Premier League
1999 F.A. Premier League
1999 F.A. Cup
1999 European Champions League
1999 Intercontinental Cup
2000 F.A. Premier League
2001 F.A. Premier League
2003 F.A. Premier League
2004 F.A Cup
2007 F.A. Premier League


Ole trivia



He supported Liverpool as a boy. (don't think he'd be too welcome in the Kop nowadays)

Ole did a years National Service in the Norwegian Army.

Solskjaer didn't play in the Norwegian 1st Division until he was 22. Outside of football the person he says he most admires is Elvis.

He is known as the "baby faced assassin", because of his youthful looks. He hates being called it though.

Amazingly Solskjaer trained as a wrestler. His Dad was Norway's Greco-Roman Wrestling Champion from 1966-71.

Sir Bobby Charlton once said of him, "I don't know anybody who makes up his mind quicker than him. I am not just talking about strikers in the modern game - I have never seen anyone like him in the modern era. He's amazing."

Solskjaer quote about Barcelona 99: "When Teddy scored, I thought, yes! I'm going to play 40 minutes of a Champions League Final. That's going to be unbelievable."

Ole told a friend the night before the final to make sure they watched the game as he felt certain that he would score a goal.

The Stretford End has a banner dedicated to him reading "20LEGEND".

United fan's sing: (to the tune of "You are my sunshine")
"You are my Solskjaer, my Ole Solskjaer,
you make me happy, when skies are grey,
and Alan Shearer, was f**king dearer,
so Please don't take, My Solskjaer, Away....."

United fan's also sing: "Who put the ball in the Germans net? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer!!!"

Solskjaer is a patron of the fans action group Shareholders United.

[REdBloodED woMan]

[glow=red,2,300]Ole settling into new role[/glow]

Sir Alex Ferguson says he is pleased with how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has settled into his new role as part of United’s coaching staff.

A serious knee injury forced the legendary Reds striker to retire in the summer, but Sir Alex quickly recruited Solskjaer to his backroom team.

The Norwegian has primarily been working with the club’s strikers, from the Academy right up to the first-team, passing on his vast experience.

“Ole has been working with the forwards and alongside Rene Meulensteen, our technical skills development coach,” Sir Alex told Inside United.

Having scored 126 goals in 366 Reds appearances, Solskjaer has plenty of knowledge to pass on, and Sir Alex says his newest coaching recruit is making a success of the transition from player to coach.

“He’s started with the first team, and he’s just building his confidence as a coach," the boss added.

"He was always in the dressing room as one of the players and all of a sudden he’s a coach. But he’s doing great, we’re really pleased with him.”



==================================================

*sob,sob*


Good to know he is doing well, but still i miss him *sob,sob*

[Jodzie]

So great that Fergie has proved how much Ole means to United and has kept him working with United
It must be a hard thing to go from team to coach but l think his just grateful to be at United

[Keano]

Sir Matt Busby, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson and now Sir Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Solskjaer has been named a 1st class Knight of the St. Olav's order, the Norwegian equivalent of being 'Knighted' . The 34 year-old is among the youngest who have ever received the royal title, which is usually given to significantly older contributors to society.

The reception was carried out in secrecy and hasn't been officially confirmed by the Castle, but Dagladet has had the title confirmed from several independent sources. Even though it's only weeks since the 34 year-old from Kristiansund hung his boots up as a player, it is not for his efforts for Manchester United and the national side that's behind the title.

It's his exertions for the community and his status as a role model, among other things his endeavours as a UNICEF-ambassador, which have impressed King Harald. Allegedly there's a bigger ceremony planned in his hometown, Kristiansund, in conjunction with the title, before he's headed towards the Castle for an audience with the king. .

Solskjær is the oldest non-regal recipient of the ordercross, which has been given earlier this year to people like the writer Herbjørg Wassmo (64), Dagblad-drawer Finn Graff (68), and supreme court barrister Jan Einar Greve (74).

[REdBloodED woMan]

OMG that is truly brilliant news...I am soooooo Happy for him!!!!

All hail SIR Ole Gunnar Solksjaer!!!!!!!!!! ;D

[united4ever]

Yes we bow before you Ole!

[steven18maher]

what a great player and a great pro......no matter how well he did he never complained about been on the bench

[dc]

It was always a pleasure to see Ole work his magic on the pitch, and I'm not ashamed to say that when the news of him retiring came tears came to my eyes.
Still it is great to see he is still with the club and that he will be passing on his very valuable knowledge for years to come.

[tango12]

i cant imagine what his career would have been if he didnt get all tose injuries, but he still had a great career and was a great contributor to united, farewell sir ole gunner solskjaer


[dont forget sir fred ]

[batteredsaussage]

Was an amazing impact sub around 2002/2003

[Keano]

batteredsaussage said:

Was an amazing impact sub around 2002/2003

Actually he started most games of that season on the right flank. I believe his performances that season had a part to do with Beckham's departure. He was just unlucky that he got injured straight after wards.

[Jazz 16]

Ole to be offered Testimonial:

Manchester United are set to honour Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's hugely successful 11-year career at Old Trafford by granting him a testimonial match.


The prolific striker, whose injury-time European Cup winner against Bayern Munich in 1999 assured him iconic status at United, was forced to admit defeat in his battle to overcome a long-standing knee problem in August.


The Norwegian's retirement ended an 11-year playing association with the Red Devils, who he joined from Molde in a bargain £650,000 deal in 1996.


Sir Alex Ferguson has already appointed Solskjaer to his coaching team and although his present brief is to develop United's young strikers, he has also spent time with the senior squad this term.


It is also anticipated the 34-year-old, who is settled in the UK with his family, will become an ambassador for the Premier League champions.


Solskjaer is in the process of appointing a committee to arrange a testimonial and the club have confirmed he will get a chance to honour the United fans for their support throughout his outstanding career, which saw him net 126 goals in 366 appearances.


Although a precise date is yet to be set, it will form part of next summer's pre-season campaign in August, after Ferguson's squad have returned from their three-match tour of South Africa.


The opposition is also still to be confirmed, although contact is bound to be made with Bayern Munich to see if they would be interested in a re-match of the 1999 spectacular.

Source:Itv.com

[ManUtd19]

Cool! Would be a bit embarrassing if they beat us though..

[united4ever]

Great news!
Fitting tribute to Ole!

[kingcantona]

an ole testimonial against bayern wld be perfect wldn't it??? hehehe .i sure hope they agree to it........

[yaseen94]

A great player and servent for Manchester United. My most memorable moment of Ole was when he got that winner in the nou camp. A great player and will always be remembered amongst the united supporters.

[ivandaman]

My favorite player of all times. Wonderful humanbeing...

simply THE BEST

[batteredsaussage]

kingcantona said:

an ole testimonial against bayern wld be perfect wldn't it??? hehehe .i sure hope they agree to it........

I heard about one this summer! Unfortunatly, I don't know who it's against

[A*]

I hope it's against Bayern Munich, I'm sure he would love to play them again after '99