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OLE GUNNER SOLSKJAER
Who put the ball in the German's Net
Ole Gunner Solskjaer has made a big impact since his arrival at Manchester United in 1996. He has finished top goal scorer for the red devils in one season, and has scored countless important goals in crucial situations. Dubbed the "Super-Sub" after his heroics in the 1998/99 season, most notably when coming off the bench, Solskjaer will long be remembered for his winning goal in the European Cup Final in 1999, again, as a substitute.
Solskjaer started his footballing career as a part-timer for the Norwegian Third Division side, Clausenegen FK. After a move to Premier League club Molde in 1995, he caught the eye of national selectors and was called up for his first of 22 caps for Norway. Since his international debut, Solskjaer has scored 10 goals, and was a vital member in Norway's World Cup 1998 squad. His performances for both Norway and Molde caught the eye of many European clubs, although many were unsure of whether or not Ole would be good enough for the top flight.
Alex Ferguson accepted the gamble and signed Solskjaer in 1996 for a transfer fee of $1.5m. Arriving at Old Trafford as a relative unknown to the fans, Solskjaer believed he was not going to see much 1st team football in his debut season, expecting to warm the bench for the majority of the time. Ferguson had other ideas. After scoring on his debut as substitute against Blackburn at Old Trafford early in the 1996/97 season, Solskjaer became a regular starter for United, partnering Eric Cantona up front. It was a successful season for Solskjaer, who became the top goal scorer for United with 19 goals for the season. He was later put on the short list for PFA Young Player of the Year, which was just reward for what he had achieved. United picked up the Premiership title in the 96/97 season in what was a dream start for Solskjaer's United career.
Injury hampered Solskjaer in the 1997/98 season, and although his strike partners, Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham scored regularly, many people felt that United were missing Solskjaer and, of course, Eric Cantona, who had retired in the summer. United captured no silverware that season, and the search for a striker was top of Alex Ferguson's shopping list. The arrival of Dwight Yorke in the summer of 98' may have spelt the end to Solskjaer's Old Trafford career, and rumours of a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur grew. When Tottenham's offer was accepted by United, Solskjaer rejected the move, stating that he wanted to fight for his spot in the squad. It was a decision every United fan is now thankful for.
During the 1998/99 season, Solskjaer was kept out of the starting 11 by a flourishing partnership between Yorke and Cole, but whenever Ole was sent on, he almost always scored. His tally of 19 was quite astonishing as he made only a handful of starts throughout the season. The highlights of his season included 4 goals scored in the final 10 minutes of the Nottingham Forrest fixture at the City Ground, the Norwegian breaking all sorts of records in the process. He also grabbed an injury time winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup 4th round. A goal which turned out to be a dress rehearsal for his winner against Bayern Munich in the European Cup final, a goal that spurned the popular terrace chant of "Who put the ball in the Scouser's/German's net? Ole Gunner Solskjaer!".
Solskjaer has continued his form as a super-sub in the 99/2000 season, again taking his opportunities to impress, another 4 goal haul against Everton being the highlight. With this feat, he became the first player to score 4 goals in two separate games in the Premiership, which only highlights how devastating he can be in front of goals. An excellent striking talent, a pleasure to watch and a valuable commodity to the United squad.
| Squad Number: | 20 |
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| Position: | Forward / Right Winger |
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| Birthplace: | Kristiansund, Norway |
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| Birthdate: | 26.2.73 |
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| Height: | 5' 9" - 174cm |
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| Weight: | 11st 9lb - 74kg |
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| Transferred From: | Molde - July 96 - £1,500,000 |
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| Former Clubs: | Clausenengen FK, FK Molde |
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| United Debut: | 25.8.96 vs Blackburn Rovers (H) - League |
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| United League Debut: | 25.8.96 vs Blackburn Rovers (H) |
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| Full International: | Norway(41 caps, 16 goals) |
