Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

CLK_FPC · 22nd November 2009, 21:50

I ran this by a couple of people through PM as I wanted to be sure I caught the exact feeling before posting it on here
I know people have problem with me posting links to stuff so I'll post the words of the piece then the link so you can see the videos etc that were added
Manchester United Hall Of Fame: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Quote:

You would be hard pressed to find a Man United fan that does not like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

As well as being a great goal scorer, a trophy winner and a model professional the ‘Baby Faced Assassin’ was a class act. When he was awarded with the Royal Norwegian order of St.Olav First Class, Egil Vindorum, head of the Oslo place chancellery, explained,

“What is being honoured are his attitudes, his way of being. He is a role model for children and young people, what he did on the soccer field has nothing to do with it. We’ll leave that to others, like the Norwegian Football Federation.”

And this is a testament to the character of the Manchester United legend.

Never did he moan or complain about being on the bench rather he worked hard and when the opportunity presented itself he grabbed it with both hands. He was self less and always put the needs of United ahead of himself.

In 1998, United were losing their grip on the League and in a game against Newcastle he was thrown on late in order to try and grab a win as 1-1 was not good enough. David Beckham, who had scored United’s equaliser, played a ball into the box but Newcastle cleared quicker than expected. As Rob Lee bore down on goal, Solskjaer sacrificed himself and swiped Rob Lee’s standing leg. The danger had been averted but Solskjaer would have to be punished receiving a straight red card for his intentional foul. As he left the field he received a standing ovation from the Stretford End, they fully appreciated the sacrifice he had just made to keep their title dream alive.

Signed from FK Molde after United missed out on Alan Shearer, Solskjaer would hit 18 goals in his first season helping United secure the title in the last week of the 1996-1997 season. He would go on to acquire the tag super sub after coming off the bench numerous times to score and famously got 4 goals in 12 minutes as United beat Nottingham Forest 8-1 (He would score 4 goals in a single game again later that season in a 5-1 victory over Everton).

As memorable as that match was his finest moment came in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich. United had looked dead and buried but Solskjaer was introdcued in the 81st minute to see if he could change the game around. In extra time Teddy Sherringham grabbed an equaliser to make it 1-1 and with another corner United packed the box as they went for the kill against a shaken Bayern side. Beckham’s corner was knocked on by Teddy Sherringham only for Ole to put it into the net and win the Champions League for United, at the same time cementing his place in United history.

Solskjaer was way more than just a super sub and the fact that he started 217 of his 367 matches proves this. Injury hampered his career and with United signing Ruud Van Nistelrooy, preferring to play with a lone striker, he moved to right wing in place of an injured David Beckham where he also shone.

So much in fact that Beckham failed to dislodge him when he returned to fitness and that coupled with a falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson spelled the end of the superstar’s Old Trafford career as he moved to Real Madrid.

Solskjaer brought the curtain down on his playing career in 2007 scoring his 126th and final goal against Blackburn in a 4-1 United win.

But this was not the end of his career at Old Trafford as he would go on to take up an ambassador’s role at the club in the summer of the same year and is now manager of the reserve side where it is hoped he can impart on the younger players of this flashy generation the humility that he showed throughout his career.

When he received his award in his home town of Kristiansund, the mayor Dagfinn Ripnes, stated:

“Many in his position become playboys and suffer symptoms from being a star,” he said. “Ole Gunnar remained the same down-to-earth, good guy.”

And its because of this, as well as the goals that Ole is and forever will be loved by United fans.

BAMSOLA · 22nd November 2009, 22:12

Good article, perhaps lacking a little "pazzaz" but nicely to the point and simple without overdosing on hyperbole. Good stuff.

PS: I clicked the link just for support and i hope everyone else does.

Eriku · 22nd November 2009, 22:15

He didn't score his four goals against Everton later in the Treble season. And maybe take a look at the Wiki. His influence in his slightly blighted last season was useful, and very much left us content with having seen Ole do what he does best for one more season before he hung up his boots.

narnar · 22nd November 2009, 22:15

What is the Royal Norwegian order of St.Olav First Class?

Always seemed a nice bloke, and to think he supported Liverpool as a boy!

Good article btw.

mexos · 22nd November 2009, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by narnar

What is the Royal Norwegian order of St.Olav First Class?

Always seemed a nice bloke, and to think he supported Liverpool as a boy!

Good article btw.

knighthood-thingy.

EricaNo7 · 22nd November 2009, 22:25

i met him in selfridges once and he was lovely.
he wasn't even remotely conceited , even when my mother insisted on telling him one of our dogs was named after him ( although he did look a little downcast when he found out it was a jack russell! )

gbgary · 22nd November 2009, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricaNo7

i met him in selfridges once and he was lovely.
he wasn't even remotely conceited , even when my mother insisted on telling him one of our dogs was named after him ( although he did look a little downcast when he found out it was a jack russell! )

why is that? another breed might have made his ears perk up? (pun intended)

Sunny Jim · 23rd November 2009, 08:15

Quote:

Never did he moan or complain about being on the bench rather he worked hard and when the opportunity presented itself he grabbed it with both hands. He was self less and always put the needs of United ahead of himself.

imo he was better than host of our first choice strikers. he just coped with being benched better. I LOVE OLE

Diver · 23rd November 2009, 17:01

Would be in my top 5 United players easily.

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22nd November 2009, 22:12	#2 (permalink)
BAMSOLA Has issues! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow. Posts: 4,365	Good article, perhaps lacking a little "pazzaz" but nicely to the point and simple without overdosing on hyperbole. Good stuff. PS: I clicked the link just for support and i hope everyone else does.

22nd November 2009, 22:15	#3 (permalink)
Eriku Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,213	He didn't score his four goals against Everton later in the Treble season. And maybe take a look at the Wiki. His influence in his slightly blighted last season was useful, and very much left us content with having seen Ole do what he does best for one more season before he hung up his boots.

22nd November 2009, 22:15	#4 (permalink)
narnar Needs Help Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: northern ireland Posts: 8,485	What is the Royal Norwegian order of St.Olav First Class? Always seemed a nice bloke, and to think he supported Liverpool as a boy! Good article btw.

22nd November 2009, 22:25	#6 (permalink)
EricaNo7 Scarlett woman ( Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn ) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: more right wing than andrei kanchelskis Posts: 9,540	i met him in selfridges once and he was lovely. he wasn't even remotely conceited , even when my mother insisted on telling him one of our dogs was named after him ( although he did look a little downcast when he found out it was a jack russell! )

23rd November 2009, 17:01	#9 (permalink)
Diver ....and nobody likes a diver. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Watch Diver Shoots His Load In The General Posts: 3,872	Would be in my top 5 United players easily.