Ole Gunnar Solsjaer’s place in our history books was cemented when scored against Bayern Munich during injury time in the European Cup final to win us the trophy, however our love for him runs much deeper than that.
The guy is a class act, one of the few United players who is respected by all (apart from Arsenal fans). He is a model professional who has dedicated much of his footballing career to our club.
In the 2001-2002 season, Solskjaer finished the 6th highest scorer in the league, finding the back of the net 17 times in 30 league games.
In the following season, when United were crowned Champions, Solskjaer played for us more than any other player, missing just one league game. He’d really started to establish himself in our team, filling in for an out of favour David Beckham.
However, disaster struck in the next season when Solskjaer’s injury troubles really begun to take effect. He featured in just 13 league games with an injury in September ruling him out until February.
He missed all of the 2004-2005 season, then made a half an hour appearance on the final day of the 2005-2006 season after a couple of games around Christmas.
Solskjaer’s future with the club had all but been written off, with even the player coming close to admitting defeat at times. However, he cited the fans support as the reason he never gave up.
Aged 33-years-old, Solskjaer was ready to make his come back, but critics doubted he’d have much effect on our season. Everyone was surprised, except probably Ole himself, when he ended the season with 11 goals and a Premier League winners medal.
So what could Solskjaer possibly have done now to boost my already incredibly high opinion of him?
Solskjaer, who is now manager of our Reserve team, has his testimonial this month, with tickets now on general sale.
With the funds raised from the tickets and merchandise sold that day, Solskjaer won’t be lining his back pocket, rather investing in building schools in Africa.
“I went to Angola a few months ago and you could see clearly how much things were needed down there,” Solskjaer said. “The aim through my testimonial is to try and build 10 schools. If I can generate more money through a scheme we have set up in Norway, maybe we can generate enough to build five more. As a father, I recognise how helpless these kids are. If it was my children, I would do absolutely anything for them, so it is more important for me to be remembered for helping these people than anything I have done with football.”
Solskjaer spent the morning in the ticket office on the day the testimonial match went on sale, showing there is no limits to the lengths Ole will go to for this club and fans.
Now, he is turning his eye to further challenges, making his goal to change the lives who are less fortunate than him. Focussing on projects in Angola, Uganda and Mozambique, each scheme will cost between £30,000 and £150,000, although the probability of him selling out his testimonial is high, with plenty of fans making the journey from Norway.
“It is about building something concrete,” he said. “It is about changing lives, helping kids get out of the poverty they are in and helping them to become doctors or teachers and able to improve their own communities. A lot of people worry about money from testimonials. I am certainly not complaining about what I made as a footballer. I just felt doing this was right.”
Solskjaer reflected on his relationship with the fans, rightly acknowledging that our feelings for him were only enhanced by ‘that goal’, rather than being created because of it.
“My relationship with the fans has been absolutely fantastic since the first game I came on and no-one knew who I was,” he said. “The affection cannot only be down to that one goal. There has to be something they liked about me.”
Solskjaer missed the journey to Moscow this summer due to the birth of his third child, but of course was watching and was made up with the result. “I rang Edwin and told him I was offering an invite to move next to me,” he laughed. “I am happy for him but he is not the kind of person to let it affect him. Most of all, I am happy for the club. We need to get away from the situation of winning the competition every 40 years. Nine was long enough this time. We have to do it more and more.”
With the term ‘legend’ batted around too frequently these days, Solskjaer is one of the few players who really deserves the title.
20LEGEND
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God, I love that guy!
Fuckin ell he makes me fill up. A true legend and gift to the sport.
A true professional and a true Manchester United legend. He clearly loves the club, CR7 would do well to watch and learn.
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Ole has always been the perfect professional. Often a sub, yet never complained, because he fell in love with United and United fans, and never thought of going to any other team. He is United through and through. He’s popular in Norway, and he is raising much finance for his African schools projects in his homeland too. A gentleman indeed.
LEGEND! A wonderful player, but even better humanbeing.
A genuine, down to earth man. A legend on the field. One of United’s all time greats and long may he continue at Old Trafford.
He is such a legend, such a great player and a great person, you could see his class even in his old age, anyone remember the goal against Villa (I think) where he broke the offside trap, had a tight angle but bent it into the corner with the outside of his boot, that goal is one of my favorites ever just ‘cuz it was sheer sheer class.
it didn’t save all my comment then – Wum, the goal was against Reading last year in the Cup… No-one ever says anything about probably his best ever goal – a volley against Sturm Graz in the Champions League at the Stretty in the early 00′s. Pure class. Best finisher in Premiership history?
Ronaldo and Solskjaer – what a contrast. Give me Ole Gunnar anyday – his name will be sung from the stands long after that Portuguese turncoat has f*cked off.
Ole in the ticket office was he?
They could do with a few extra in there – I’ve been trying to renew me season ticket all day…(since 8am…) No F*cker’s picked up yet, nine hours in…
He is a Gift 4rm God.
One of the finest norwegian athletes ever. He’s a perfect role model for young players. (even though he put firecrackers in my grandmothers mailbox when he was a kid…)
i’ll remember him for his finishing when he was through on goal youd put your house on him finding the net.Oh and when he came off the bench and scored 4 goals i think it was 4 anyway.
True legend ! scored 4 goals in 20 mins after coming off the bench against notts forest he reminds me of tevez scoring late important goals
one of the best finishers in modern day football . but its his character that sets him apart . a true red !
ole gunnar solskjaer thank you for all the memories thanks a lot
Not all Arsenal fans. One of my mates is an Arsenal fan and Ole is one of his favourite players of all time.
20LEgend
Liverpool fan but have to say what a superb player and man the guy was / is. If only certain people could take note of his approach to money…..
BIG FAT TEAR IN MY EYE AND A DIRTY GREAT LUMP IN MY THROAT- OLE OLE OLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LEGEND LEGEND LEGEND. genial, kind, modest, altruistic, unselfish, good hearted, humble, caring, giving. A true great man on and off the pitch!!!
100% pure class !!! In the modern game, he has been a throw back to a different era. Players like ronaldo come every couple of years. Ole, on the other hand, will be remembered as coming once in a lifetime
someone mentioned it in a recent thread (Tom F perhaps) and i feel it needs saying again – what if there was ever a squad full of players with his attitude!