By Andrew Hyslop
Solskjaer joined United on 29 July 1996 for a fee of ÂŁ1.5million
The Baby-Faced Assassin scored 136 goals in 366 appearances for the club
Solskjaer helped the club nine majors honours
When Norwegian striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was signed by Alex Ferguson in the summer of 1996. The question on everyoneâs lips was Ole who?
The striker would be become known as the baby-faced assassin in his eleven seasons with the club and will forever be remembered as the man who scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final. As Manchester United completed the famous treble.
Making His Name In Norway
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was born on 26 February 1975. In 1989, Solskjaer completed a yearâs national service in the Norwegian army before signing for Norwegian third division side Clausenengen. Where he would he play for five years.
During his five years with Clausenengen, Solskjaer would average more than a goal game. The 1994 Norwegian season saw the forward scoring 31 of his sides 47 goals in their second division campaign.
That impressive return saw him being by Age Hareide for Norwegian Premier League side Molde FK. Solsjkaer would spend two seasons with Molde. Scoring 31 goals in 38 Norwegian Premier League games and a total of 40 goals in 50 games played for the club.
This led to interest for German side Hamberg and also an interest from Italy in the shape of Cagliari. In the wake of this interest, Hareide alerted both Everton and Manchester City that Solskjaer may be available for transfer.
Both Everton and Manchester City decided against making a move for Solskjaer, feeling it was too big a risk to sign an unknown outside his own county.
While the interested from Hamberg and Cagliari was over once Manchester United made their move. Submitting a bid of ÂŁ1.5million during the 1996 European Championships, which Molde accepted.
Making The Move To Manchester
Solskjaer completed his move to Manchester United on 29 July 1996. Solskjaer, despite success in his home country, was an unknown to many and was a surprise acquisition by Manchester United and Alex Ferguson.
Despite completed the signing of Solskjaer. Ferguson and many United fans including myself were still hopeful that they could convince Blackburn Rovers and England striker Alan Shearer to join the club.
Shearer though would join Premier League rivals Newcastle United for a then world record fee of ÂŁ15million.
So Solskjaer would be the only recognised forward to join the club ahead of the 1996/97 season. Despite this, it was thought many that the Norwegian would be nothing more than backup to Eric Cantona and Andy Cole. Probably only making a handful of appearances in his first season in England.
Baby-Faced Assassin
On completing his move to Old Trafford, Solskjaer was handed the number 20 shirt. The number he would continue to wear throughout his entire Manchester United career.
By the time he joined United Solskjaer had already made his international debut for Norway and had three international goals to his name.
Solskjaer had been at the club for just under a month when he made his Manchester United debut against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League on 25 August 1996.
Solskjaer started the game on the bench but Ferguson sent him on just after the hour mark. At the time United were trailing 2-1 and Ferguson sent him on in place of David May after 61 minutes.
Within six minutes of introduction, Solskjaer showed the Old Trafford faithful what he could do.
A long ball forward from Peter Schmeichel was flicked on by fellow summer signing Jordi Cruyff (who scored Unitedâs first in this game). Solskjaer beat three Blackburn defenders to the ball and despite seeing Tim Flowers save his initial effort. Solskjaer was first to rebound and made no mistake.
Scoring the first of 136 goals he would score for Manchester United.
His first season in England saw him playing in a total of forty-six game for the club. Scoring nineteen goals. 18 of his goals came in the Premier League as Manchester United won the 1996/97 Premier League title.
Solskjaer celebrates winning 1996/97 Premier League title with the David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville
United and Solskjaer would finish the season seven points ahead of second-placed Newcastle United and a certain Mr Alan Shearer.
Solskjaerâs goalscoring feats in his first season saw him earning the nickname of the âBaby-Faced Assassinâ. Due to his boyish looks (looking like he should still at school not helping United with the Premier League) and his deadly finishing.
Super-Sub Tag
Solskjaerâs debut goal wouldnât be the first time that the Norwegian stepped off the bench to score a crucial goal for Alex Fergusonâs side. Earning him the tag of super-sub.
Ferguson remarked that Solskjaer had a knack of sitting on the bench and studying the game without taking his eye off the action.
Solsjkaer on record of coming off the bench to score crucial goals:
âI had to think about myself, how can I do the most damage for the opposition if I come on? I sat there and I studied football games but I didnât exactly analyse their strikers. Instead I would pay attention to what the defenders and full-backs were doing wrong.â
The 1998/99 season saw Manchester United completed the unthinkable treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. The previous season had seen United finish empty-handed.
That prompted Alex Ferguson to bring another forward to the club in the shape of Dwight Yorke, joining from Aston Villa. That gave Ferguson four front-line forwards including Solskjaer.
Solskjaer made 37 appearances in the 1998/99 season, scoring 18 goals. Twelve of those goals came in the Premier League and four goals in one match against Nottingham Forest.
Solskjaer once again started the game on the bench and United were already 4-1 up when he entered the field of play with twelve minutes remaining.
Unitedâs goalscorers before Solskjaers introduction were Yorke and Cole with two goals apiece but the Norwegian would upstage them as he grabbed fours goals as United completed an 8-1 win.
Solskjaer Goal Completes The Treble
Arguably his most famous goal from the bench came in the 1998/99 Champions League final as United came from behind with two goals in the dying minutes to complete the treble.
Solskjaer entered the game with 81 minutes on the clock and Unitedâs dream of the treble seemed to be dying. Trailing Bayern Munich 1-0 in the Nou Camp.
Bayern had taken an early lead and created the better of the chances but United drew level as the clock struck 90 minutes when fellow substitute Teddy Sheringham bundled the ball into the net.
The first goal came from a Beckham corner and 30 seconds later the Red Devils forced another corner. Beckhamâs ball in was glanced by Sheringham and Solskjaer poked the ball into the Germans net. Making sure his Solskjaer would go down in United folklore forever.
Solskjaer celebrates Champions League win as full-time whistle blows
Solskjaer and Ferguson celebrate Champions League win and Treble
Though the 1998/99 season could have been a whole different story for Solskjaer and United. Had he left the club at the start of the season after United accepted a bid for the Norwegian from Tottenham Hotspur.
Solskjaer opted to stay at United and played his part in a memorable season and a feat that may never be matched by an English team.
Injury Troubles
The 2001/02 season saw Solskjaer given more of starting opportunity in Unitedâs forward line. Paired up with Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Solskjaer took the opportunity, scoring 25 goals from 47 games. Forcing both Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole onto the bench.
By the start of the 2002/03 season, both Yorke and Cole had left the club. While Ferguson had brought in Diego Forlan. Solskjaer would have just Van Nistelrooy and Forlan as competition for the striking positions.
Though Ferguson opted to play Van Nistelrooy as a lone striker. Paul Scholes would be used in the Number ten role behind Van Nistelrooy, meaning limited opportunities for Solskjaer.
An injury to David Beckham, saw Ferguson using Solskjaer on the right-side of midfield. He was still able to score goals despite his new role in the team.
Solskjaer would continue in his new position even when Beckham returned from injury.
Following the departure of Beckham to Real Madrid in the summer of 2003. Solskjaer would start the 2003/04 season as Unitedâs first choice right-winger.
However, a knee injury suffered in September 2003, saw Solskjaer ruled out until February 2004. Solskjaer would return for the seasonâs run-in, helping United win the 2004 FA Cup.
Despite this, Solskjaer was forced to undergo intensive knee surgery in August 2004 and would miss the entire 2004/05 season.
Return From Injury
Solskjaer made his return from injury on 5 December 2005 as Manchester Unitedâs reserves played their Liverpool counterparts. A crowd of 2,738 saw the Norwegian made his return to the football pitch.
He made his first-team return as a substitute against Birmingham City on 28 December and made his first start on 6 January 2006 in the FA Cup third-round against Burton Albion. A game that ended 0-0.
He would also start the replay against Burton. Playing the full game as captain as United won through to the fourth round with a 5-0 win at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer continued to work his way back to full fitness with regular appearances for the reserves. That was until 8 March when he faced Middlesbrough reserves and suffered a broken cheekbone.
This injury appeared to have ruled him out for the rest of the season but he did make a substitute appearance against Sunderland on Good Friday.
Injury Finally Forces Retirement
Solskjaer enjoyed a successful pre-season in the summer of 2006. Earning praise from Ferguson and even convincing his manager he didnât need to sign a new striker.
He returned to Premier League action on 23 August 2006 away to Charlton Athletic. Solskjaer scored in the 90th to seal a 3-0 win for United. His first Premier League goal since April 2003.
Solskjaer celebrates scoring against Charlton Athletic
He continued to score goals for United in the 2006/07 season. Scoring the winner against Celtic in a Champions League group game on 13 September.
Then on 1 October, he bagged a brace in a 2-0 home win over Newcastle United. Giving Solskjaer his first Premier League goals at Old Trafford since his return to full fitness.
The second half of the season saw him going under the knife again for a further operation on his knee. This was only minor surgery though, ruling him out for just a month.
He returned as a late substitute against Blackburn Rovers on 31 March 2007. Scoring in the 89th minute as United won the game 4-1.
On 27 August 2007, Solskjaer retired from playing following further surgery on his knee after reporting discomfort in his knee while on international duty with Norway.
That meant his last game for Manchester United would be the 2007 FA Cup final against Chelsea. Though he couldnât finish with a winners medal as United lost the game 1-0 after extra-time.
First Steps Into Coaching
Following retirement at the start of the 2007/08 season. Solskjaer worked for Sir Alex Ferguson as coach. Coach the first-team strikers for the what remained of the 2007/08 season.
In May 2008 it was announced that Solskjaer would manage Unitedâs reserve side for the 2008/09 season. He would remain in charge of the reserves until December 2010.
When he left the club to return to former Molde FK as first-team manager. Success back in Norway saw him being linked with a number of clubs in England.
Eventually returning to the Premier League with Cardiff City in January 2014 with the South-Wales side fighting to stay in the top flight.
He couldnât keep them up and following a poor start to the following season, was sacked by Cardiff on 18 September 2014. On 21 October 2015, he once again returned to Norway to manage Molde.
Club Legends #16 â Ole Gunnar Solskjaer By Andrew Hyslop Solskjaer joined United on 29 July 1996 for a fee of ÂŁ1.5million The Baby-Faced Assassin scored 136 goals in 366 appearances for the clubâŚ
