Solskjaer hangs up his boots
Solskjaer is one of United's best-loved players of the past decade
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Tuesday, 28, Aug 2007 07:31
Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has announced his retirement from professional football today after a succession of knee injuries hampered his career.
The 34-year-old, who has played for United since coming to English football from Norwegian side Molde in 1996, has decided to hang up his boots today after a 17-year career.
A Norwegian international who has made 367 appearances for the Old Trafford outfit, scoring 128 goals, Solskjaer is best known as a 'super sub' who was frequently used by manager Sir Alex Ferguson to alter things up front late on in a game.
"I would like to thank the manager, the coaching and medical staff and most of all the supporters, who have supported me through my career," Solskjaer said after confirming his decision.
"They have been fantastic and were a real inspiration to me when I was out injured.
"The support the fans and the staff showed me during that time was the main motivation for me making my comeback. I feel proud to have represented Manchester United for 11 years and have some very special memories."
Famously, Solskjaer scored the winning goal three minutes into injury time in the club's 1999 Champions League final success over Bayern Munich after coming on as a replacement in the second half.
Perhaps his most notable contribution as a substitute was in United's 8-1 demolition of Nottingham Forest earlier that season in February 1999, when the Norwegian scored four goals in just 12 minutes after coming off the bench.
A bargain buy from Molde, when Ferguson signed him for just £1.5 million, Solskjaer has earned himself a place in United folklore with that goal and for his overall demeanour.
He is renowned for his friendly banter with fans and his approachable attitude, which has put his name up with several other legends of Old Trafford.
"Ending your playing career is a sad day for anyone, in the case of Ole, he has 11 fantastic years he can look back on," Sir Alex said.
"Ole has achieved everything a player could ever wish to achieve. He has been a great servant to the club and has always remained a model professional in his responsibility as a player, in his demeanour and his manners have always been exemplary."
Despite being plagued by injury, and enduring a number of surgeries on his knee in recent seasons, Solskjaer's contract still allows him to develop his coaching qualifications with view to joining the club's staff.
And Sir Alex hinted that he would be doing his best to ensure the player remained on the Red Devils' books.
"Ole will hopefully go on to be a good coach," the Scottish manager added.
Solskjaer retires after 11 years with United and having won 67 international caps, scoring 23 goals.