Solskjær is extremely popular amongst Manchester United fans, for his ability to score goals late in the game, often handing Manchester United a draw or win from the brink of defeat. The most famous instance of this occurred in the European Cup Final of 1999 at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.
Solskjær came to Manchester United during 1996 and scored 18 Premiership goals for United in his first season, helping United win the title in the last weeks of the season. The British media nicknamed him the "Baby-Faced Assassin" because of his youthful looks and his deadly finishing. He will perhaps be best remembered as a "super-sub", having earned wide acclaim for a remarkable habit of coming into matches late on as a substitute and scoring vital goals, most memorable of all should be the 1999 UEFA Champions League final, when he scored during extra time to earn Manchester United the ultimate treble. These feats, as well as his likeable demeanour, made him a firm favourite among the United supporters.
By 2002-03, after both Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke had left Old Trafford, Solskjær had only lacklustre Diego Forlán to compete with for a place in the starting line-up. Still, Ferguson's persistence in playing Ruud van Nistelrooy up front as a lone striker meant that opportunities were limited.
Solskjær was subsequently given his time again when David Beckham picked up an injury and Ferguson played the versatile Norwegian on the right wing. While proving himself to be a fine crosser of the ball, Solskjær also popped up with crucial goals, scoring a total of 16 goals for the season. It was a testament to his brilliace that he was selected to play on the right in important matches, such as in the league game against Arsenal and the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, while Beckham was left on the bench. He also captained the team in a number of matches.
During the 2003-04 season, he struggled with a recurring knee problem. However, he managed to return for 2004 FA Cup final, which Manchester United won. 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. Spectators numbering 2,738 showed up to witness the comeback of the popular Norwegian - an above-average turn-out for a reserve team match. He made his first-team return as a substitute in the match against Birmingham City on 28 December. He then finally made his first start more than a year later in the FA cup match against Burton Albion, before playing a full game as a captain in the re-play. His return to full fitness slowly continued with regular appearances in the reserves, until on March 8, 2006 when, during a game against Middlesbrough, he was accidentally caught by Ugo Ehiogu, breaking his cheekbone. While facing the possibility of missing the rest of the season, he nevertheless appeared as a substitute against Sunderland on Good Friday.
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. He continued his come-back in a spectacular fashion by putting in the winning goal in the Champions League clash with Celtic on September 13. Solskjær's first Premiership goal at Old Trafford since the return came on October 1 when he netted both goals in the 2-0 win against Newcastle United. His goalscoring form continued with when he started the away match against Wigan Athletic and struck a sublime finish to round off a 3-1 victory, and again against Crewe Alexandra, on October 25, 2006, scoring the first of the 2-1 victory.
After a further injury sustained in Copenhagen, Solskjær again returned on top form scoring the third goal in the 3 - 1 win over Wigan on Boxing day. Solskjær continued his magnificent form by scoring United's opening goal in their 3-2 win over Reading on the 30th of December. Additionally, he came on as a substitute to score an injury-time winner in the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup on 7th January 2007.
On March 31, 2006 Solskjær signed a new contract with Manchester United until the end of the 2008 season, with a provision to allow him to develop his coaching awards.
Solskjær remains a fans favourite and the United supporters have made a number of chants for him including "You are my Solskjær"(A copy of You are my sunshine), "Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole Solskjær"(To the tune of Feeling hot hot hot).
Solskjær came to Manchester United during 1996 and scored 18 Premiership goals for United in his first season, helping United win the title in the last weeks of the season. The British media nicknamed him the "Baby-Faced Assassin" because of his youthful looks and his deadly finishing. He will perhaps be best remembered as a "super-sub", having earned wide acclaim for a remarkable habit of coming into matches late on as a substitute and scoring vital goals, most memorable of all should be the 1999 UEFA Champions League final, when he scored during extra time to earn Manchester United the ultimate treble. These feats, as well as his likeable demeanour, made him a firm favourite among the United supporters.
By 2002-03, after both Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke had left Old Trafford, Solskjær had only lacklustre Diego Forlán to compete with for a place in the starting line-up. Still, Ferguson's persistence in playing Ruud van Nistelrooy up front as a lone striker meant that opportunities were limited.
Solskjær was subsequently given his time again when David Beckham picked up an injury and Ferguson played the versatile Norwegian on the right wing. While proving himself to be a fine crosser of the ball, Solskjær also popped up with crucial goals, scoring a total of 16 goals for the season. It was a testament to his brilliace that he was selected to play on the right in important matches, such as in the league game against Arsenal and the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, while Beckham was left on the bench. He also captained the team in a number of matches.
During the 2003-04 season, he struggled with a recurring knee problem. However, he managed to return for 2004 FA Cup final, which Manchester United won. 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. Spectators numbering 2,738 showed up to witness the comeback of the popular Norwegian - an above-average turn-out for a reserve team match. He made his first-team return as a substitute in the match against Birmingham City on 28 December. He then finally made his first start more than a year later in the FA cup match against Burton Albion, before playing a full game as a captain in the re-play. His return to full fitness slowly continued with regular appearances in the reserves, until on March 8, 2006 when, during a game against Middlesbrough, he was accidentally caught by Ugo Ehiogu, breaking his cheekbone. While facing the possibility of missing the rest of the season, he nevertheless appeared as a substitute against Sunderland on Good Friday.
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. He continued his come-back in a spectacular fashion by putting in the winning goal in the Champions League clash with Celtic on September 13. Solskjær's first Premiership goal at Old Trafford since the return came on October 1 when he netted both goals in the 2-0 win against Newcastle United. His goalscoring form continued with when he started the away match against Wigan Athletic and struck a sublime finish to round off a 3-1 victory, and again against Crewe Alexandra, on October 25, 2006, scoring the first of the 2-1 victory.
After a further injury sustained in Copenhagen, Solskjær again returned on top form scoring the third goal in the 3 - 1 win over Wigan on Boxing day. Solskjær continued his magnificent form by scoring United's opening goal in their 3-2 win over Reading on the 30th of December. Additionally, he came on as a substitute to score an injury-time winner in the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup on 7th January 2007.
On March 31, 2006 Solskjær signed a new contract with Manchester United until the end of the 2008 season, with a provision to allow him to develop his coaching awards.
Solskjær remains a fans favourite and the United supporters have made a number of chants for him including "You are my Solskjær"(A copy of You are my sunshine), "Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole Solskjær"(To the tune of Feeling hot hot hot).
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