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FERGIE HAILS INSPIRATIONAL OLE
Solskjaer - preparing for testimonial.
Sir Alex Ferguson has acclaimed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a true footballing inspiration.
At a time when Cristiano Ronaldo's commitment to the Manchester United cause is being questioned on an almost daily basis, over 70,000 fans will turn out on Saturday to honour Solskjaer's 12 years with the club.
Although the knee injury which forced Solskjaer to quit the game 12 months ago will limit him to a 20-minute cameo against Espanyol, he is certain to be afforded a reception United reserve for only their very favourite sons.
Solskjaer will then be allowed to concentrate on his job as reserve-team coach, stepping away from the limelight but leaving an indelible imprint for others to follow.
"Ole is an inspiration to anyone hoping for a long career in football," said Ferguson. "He has dedicated himself to his profession.
"In the modern-day game, anyone who manages 10 years or more at one club is exceptional, particularly when that one club is not from the player's own country.
"When the fans show their respect for Ole, it will not just be for his goal in Barcelona. It will be for his overall contribution over a very long period of time."
It was 1996 when Solskjaer arrived from Norwegian club Molde. For the princely sum of £1.5million, Ferguson signed a virtual unknown.
The Scot reckoned it would take his new recruit a season to learn his trade. He was wrong.
"Ole came to us at 23 but I looked at him and thought he was 15," he recalled.
"I told him he had potential but his first season was going to be an introduction and mostly he would be playing for the reserves.
"But after two games, (reserve coach) Jim Ryan said I needed to put him in the first team.
"We made him a substitute against Blackburn the following week. He scored and was never out of the first-team squad after that."
It was the start of a stellar career most believe reached its peak at the Nou Camp in 1999 when Solskjaer thrust out his right boot to give United their last-gasp Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich.
But there were plenty of other highlights. Scoring four as a substitute against Nottingham Forest, another late, late winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup. The sixth and final league title in 2007, four years after suffering the knee injury that eventually ended his career.
"That last league championship summed up Ole's strength of character," said Ferguson.
"It was never going to be easy after all those operations.
"But we gave him the platform and he just kept working away in that gym, believing he would come back when I don't think anyone else thought he would do it.
"But once we introduced him to the team, his impact was fantastic. He got 11 goals, which were really important for us in the end."
Those days are almost gone for Solskjaer now and after completing a bewildering list of commitments over the last few days, anonymity will come as a blessed relief for the 35-year-old who prides himself on a devotion to his wife and three young children.
And for Ferguson it will be ending a commitment he made to Solskjaer's parents when he arrived from Norway to become the 'Baby Faced Assassin' all those years ago.
"When a young kid walks in here, eventually I want them to go home to their mother and father and be the same person," he said.
"It is not easy in modern day life.
"Success can change people, so can money and this is in an industry which is very vulnerable.
"You need to take special care of yourself in order to deal with that, to remind yourself where you have come from and keep your feet on the ground.
"In Ole's case I think it is obvious to everyone that he has."
