United stalwart retires

Solskjaer quits due to knee injury

By Mark Buckingham   Last updated: 28th August 2007

United stalwart retires

Solskjaer: Forced to quit

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Manchester United favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has retired due to a knee injury, according to Sky Sports News.

Solskjaer will be forever remembered in United folklore for scoring the dramatic winner in the UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 1999.

That goal was one of almost 130 he scored for The Red Devils after joining from Molde in a £1.5million transfer 11 years ago.

He made over 360 appearances for the club, but recent seasons have been blighted by injury.

The 34-year-old did maintain a level of fitness last season, scoring 11 goals as United won the title and reached the FA Cup final.

But he did not figure during the pre-season campaign after undergoing a knee operation over the summer.

This was expected to be his final season as a player at Old Trafford, but he has now decided to announce his retirement.

Solskjaer's decision to quit could prompt Sir Alex Ferguson to rethink his attacking options prior to the close of the transfer window.

Along with Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Louis Saha, Solskjaer was expected to form part of Ferguson's plans up front.

But the United manager may now require further reinforcements in attack, having been linked with Bolton Wanderers' forward Nicolas Anelka.

Comments (61)

Spyke Hughes says...

Thank you Ole for giving us the treble you will always be our baby faced assasin good luck in the future, and yes Alan Shearer he was dearer and nobody took our "Solskjaer away" Please pass on your wisdom to the up and coming Man U stars.

Posted 20:39 27th September 2007

Adee Putra (Manchester United fan) says...

What I've wanted to say is mostly said anyway. Apart from being the best ever sub, and graced with unbelieveable luck (his always being at the right spots at the right times, plus unlucky goalies), he never goes overboard with his goal scoring celebrations. And it strikes me when other players are holding a club to ransom for more appearances or fatter paychecks, and he stuck with MU till the end. But for magical night of the Champions League's final at the Nou Camp, THANK YOU Ole, and it is not enough to state how you made me feel that night. You're more than a legend.

Posted 15:16 8th September 2007

Agent 47 (Manchester United fan) says...

I wish i could thank him personally for giving me and all Man Utd fans so many happy moments. He will be impossible to replace. I would like to say thank you and good luck in your future endeavours.

Posted 14:09 5th September 2007

Ugo jude Amaefule says...

they say it's not how long but how well..Ole proved that times without number...he was never a starter..injuries hindered his appearances..but each time he wore the untd jersey he wore it with pride and always made every second on the pitch count. OLE you will be sorely missed, you may now be referred to as an ex-footballer, but you will always be referred to as a great and wonderful gentleman.

Posted 12:29 5th September 2007

John Crouch says...

(chelsea fan), a true great in the modern game and will be sadly missed

Posted 11:43 5th September 2007

P-j. Wilson says...

All hail Ole! The super sub, match winner, game changer and professional extraodinaire. he'll be sorely missed n hard to replace. Boots off to him!!

Posted 22:09 2nd September 2007

Top Rankine (Manchester United fan) says...

You will be missed Ole. We will never forget you always was favorite and will always be favorite to every Manchester United Fan. Take care of yourself

Posted 17:30 30th August 2007

Huzi G (Manchester United fan) says...

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer! The best finisher i have ever seen.One of the best players ever signed by Sir Alex.On and off the field, a true gentleman.I would like to see him succeed as Man Utd Manager after Sir Alex becoz of his passion for Man Utd!

Posted 15:11 30th August 2007

Conor Shaw (Manchester United fan) says...

Shame to see ole go. Always great watching him come on late in the game and more often than not bang one in. I only wish he wasnt used as a sub all the time. Considering that he never played a full game he cant be counted up there with Cantona, Keane etc. He'll be remembered because of one or two crucial goals and a catchy tune..

Posted 06:01 30th August 2007

Sam Baxter (Manchester United fan) says...

After Eric, Ole will always hold a dear place in our hearts. He always played with his heart and in recent years in just seemed a shame that injury cut short his career but, I am sure Utd will find a suitable place for the the baby faced assasin (even though he hates that name!). He is and will always be everything that is dear to the Stretford End crowd.

Posted 00:07 30th August 2007

Cyrus Chan (Manchester United fan) says...

Thank you Ole! You will be missed by every Manchester United Fan. Thank you for the things you have done for United and the memories you have left us. You are a true legend! Hope you all the best! Thank You 20LEGEND!

Posted 19:34 29th August 2007

Dean Parker says...

A true great in the modern game, who will be missed by any true football supporter. Lets hope that the Premier League give this footballing legend some recognition for his time with Manchester United, and this from a Leeds fan.

Posted 21:21 28th August 2007

Nigel J (Manchester United fan) says...

Just wanted to say that Ole the hitman will be missed on the field, a true legend... I'm glad he will be staying as an ambassador for us. Will he be having a Testimonial?

Posted 17:23 28th August 2007

Mike Hadlow (Manchester United fan) says...

To come back last year after nearly three years worth of knee problems tells you all you need to know about Ole's desire and passion for the club. His 126 goals automatically make him a United player who will forever be remembered but his attitude, commitment and desire will forever make him a United Legend.

Posted 11:57 28th August 2007

Tom Davies (Manchester United fan) says...

There's the obvious amazing moments like the Champions League final and Liverpool in the FA Cup, but i''ll never forget the match against Forest we won 8-1. Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke were on 2 goals each and everyone was wondering who would get the hat-trick first. Ole comes off the bench and bags 4 goals!! Absolutely amazing and I am absolutely gutted he's gone! :(

Posted 11:52 28th August 2007

Dylan Parry (Manchester United fan) says...

Thank you Ole. You lived the dream that so many of us want. Your goal in the Nou Camp will forever live with us all, but there were so many good memories, but your defining moment, simply staying a Red when you could easily have gone somewhere else in search of regular football. You always have been the darling of the Stretford End and always will be. It's over 10 years since Eric left and still his name is sung, in 2017 we will still sing "You are my Solskjaer..." A true legend, a true hero, thank you Ole!

Posted 11:22 28th August 2007

Niko Koshiaris (Manchester United fan) says...

Ole'. From the Manchester United Supporters' Club of South Africa, we would like to thank you, and commend you for your awesome career, and outstanding contribution you have given Manchester United. We hope you all the best for the future, and hope you achieve everything you set your heart to. You will always be our Solskjaer, our only Solskjaer. You are, and always will be, a true Man United Legend. 20LEgend forever.

Posted 11:15 28th August 2007

Nicola Smith (Manchester United fan) says...

I'm absolutely heart broken, i can't believe this day has come. I'm sure i am not the only united fan to have shred a tear (or a hundred) over this news. I am probably his biggest fan, he is my favourite player in the world, and not just because of that goal. There was so much more to his career than that night in the Nou Camp. He is a living legend and will live on in our hearts forever. I've not stopped crying since late last night, i'm absolutely gutted, we'll miss him so much. Thank you for everything.

Posted 11:09 28th August 2007

Ian Calladine says...

It has been a privilege to have seen Ole play at Manchester United. As a United supporter for over 30 years, being behind the goal at the Nou Camp in 1999 where Ole won us the Champions League final. However, my favourite memory of Ole will be the FOUR GOALS that scored in the Premier league away at Nottingham Forest in the last 20 minutes coming on as a substitute. Unlike other players, Ole could enter a game and be up with the pace immediately. He was truly a super, super sub!

Posted 11:08 28th August 2007

Fred Ip (Manchester United fan) says...

One of greatest player in my opinion to have represented Manchester United. Besides winning the Champions League for Manchester United, and scoring his fair share of goals, he was an absolute gentleman. In an age when players think of only themselves and their playing time, how big their salary must be and addicted to fame, Ole was the opposite. Best professional footballer I have ever seen play, loyal to the club and fans. He could have gone and started for any other team and increased his salary, but decided to stay loyal, never moaning about not playing despite banging in the goals...Remember that game, away to Nottingham Forest the year we won the treble, United was leading 4-1 after goals from Cole and Yorke, on comes Ole and he bangs in another 4!! Thank you for everything Ole, and all the very best to you and your family!

Posted 10:58 28th August 2007

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