Aug 28
To The (20)Legend, The Departed: Part I
According to reports from Sky Sports, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has decided to call it a day. He ends what has progressively become a far more troublesome knee than expected. Obviously it hasn’t been holding up as well as he thought and probably if he thinks that it is indeed time to quit, then so be it.
(Note: This post was written when news was filtering in from Sky. BBC also brought out reports. Although Manutd.com has remained mum so far. Anyway, even so, take this post as a trip down memory lane for our Ultimate Super Sub. If he does retire for real, then a tribute post will follow. Read on…)
A full tribute post is in order, with this being a curtain raiser (or an appetiser if you may).The encomiums will follow shortly. For the moment, just let these images, chants, clips sink in. We’ll get to the main course in some time.
You are my Solskjaer, my Ole Solskjaer,
You make me happy, when skies are grey,
Oh Alan Shearer, was fucking dearer,
So please don’t take, my Solskjaer away.
To start it off, here’s a pretty well made compilation of Solskjaer. Youtube can make anyone look good, but this clip shows how sublime and composed his finishing has been. It also reminds us of other facets of his game – his ability to run at players, play on the wing, cross and do pretty much everything you expect your striker to do. It is very relevant these days when we have managed an outstanding total of two goals in four matches! Watch the clip. (It’s better if you don’t view it in full screen mode. The clip’s resolution drops.)
An interview at the beginning of this season given to Setanta Sports – presumably following the Reading game. It wasn’t a particularly good interview, as the interviewer tended to get a tad irritating. But observe Ole while answering some of the questions. You could tell how much he loves this club and how much it would break his heart to even talk about leaving the club. Oh well, I must check myself. This post is not meant for my rants. On with the video clip:
The unforgettable image:
Related items from Red Rants:
- Interview with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a true (20)Legend
- Heinze And Solskjaer Represent Two Different Worlds In Football Today
- A Word To Some Departed Souls
- The Week So Far: Spurs, Ole, Rooney, Keane, Strikers, Links, Sunderland, Transfer Madness
- Aberdeen 0-2 Man Utd: The Away Kit is Terrible
Tags: Manchester United Players
August 28th, 2007 at 10:15
Ole has always been a source of inspiration and admiration! What he has done for the club and as an ambassador for fotball in general is something to look up to!
Thanks for everything!
August 28th, 2007 at 10:22
1 word LEGEND
August 28th, 2007 at 10:37
A United Legend if ever I saw 1, this guy knew how to hit the target and that is why he scored so many goals.
August 28th, 2007 at 11:08
20LEgend always, we should retire that number as a tribute.
August 28th, 2007 at 11:27
Absolute legend, very sad to see such a great player leave the pitch for good, but according to reports he might return as a coach, advisor or perhaps another periphal role within the club. I know its a little early to be talking about testimonials but a 99 squad taking on the present team when ole’s back in some kind of shape would make for a great great match and a fitting tribute to such a widely loved player. How about Giggs, Scholes and Ole swapping teams at half time as well? Difficult to organise i grant you, but imagine beckham, blomqvuist, butt, keano, yorke, rooney and schmeichel all playing on the same pitch – a mouth watering prospect for any red
August 28th, 2007 at 11:32
Elsammio, that;s a great idea! but as u said, i fear it will be too difficult to organise.
Ole, thanks for everything, u will be missed by everyone!!
Now, the question that will be asked a million times in the next few days: “Do we need another sticker? if yes, who?”
I personally would prefer huntalaar than berbatov and anelka, but at this point i think the solution to our problem is one of those 3.
Berba would cost more than 20 mil, how much is huntalaar value? cant be more than 15-18 right?
August 28th, 2007 at 11:36
SSN news reporting that his father has confirmed that there was further complications in his knee which would have prevented him from returning to full fitness. It hard to believe such an innocuous turn and injury against Panathinaikos all those years ago would finish his career.
August 28th, 2007 at 11:59
I will miss him. It was a real privilege to see him in our club shirt
August 28th, 2007 at 12:03
Oh my Solskjaer my only Solskjaer
Really sad to see him go still waiting for manutd to confirm it i dont beleive it yet but anyways i have a 170 mbs MUTV video footage of ole taking a look at his carreer tilll the 2005 summer with all the stats and goals.
if any 1 wants it tell me i’ll upload it
Ole lives forever in united hearts
20legend
Edit : manutd has reported in papers column wait for another 12 hrs or so to geta confirmed news
August 28th, 2007 at 12:07
I’d like to see him stay on as a coach
August 28th, 2007 at 12:21
yeah me too
he could really add something too our coaching experiance that not many others can: first team experiance.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:46
Ole didnt have great pace or outstanding dribbling skills but fuck!he could the net.now thats what i call a striker.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:46
well i guess the coaching line is pretty big at ot after fergie there carlos queiroz and then there cantona whoz a coach in dubai and the theres our Keano in contention so i doubt ole will be a first team coach but yeah he cam be a gr8 assest no doubt to the staff overall
I’d rather see him as an ambasador for the club coz he does have a huge fan following.
August 28th, 2007 at 12:58
ole calling it a day is indeed a sad moment for us..forgive me for being to hasty for asking this, but doesnt that mean that Man Utd will have only 3 strikers for this season? one of whom has an almost unearthly inability to stay fit and another is out for 2 months?
August 28th, 2007 at 13:04
hats off plus a bow!
August 28th, 2007 at 13:09
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=466890…… its official, Solskjaer has confirmed it.
August 28th, 2007 at 13:22
20LEgend always, i say united vs molde(his former club), i do think we should retire the number 20.
August 28th, 2007 at 13:58
as do i
August 28th, 2007 at 14:34
He was my favourite United player by a long ways. This is deeply sad news.
August 28th, 2007 at 14:52
Any rumours of us buying a new CF? I’m not in the UK so any info would be appreciated!
August 28th, 2007 at 15:16
“Ole is one of the best finishers I have known. We have had a few good natural finishers at the club but he is exceptional.”
- Sir Alex Ferguson
God i am gonna miss ole definately deserves a testimonial match soon
I am so sad i definately wanted ole to be a part of champions league squad this year damn damn damn
Wish him all the luck there is on the planet and he’ll be a gr8 assest to the coaching staff
2OLEgend forever
August 28th, 2007 at 15:19
2OLEGEND – Who can forget that May ‘99 night? Who can? What SAF told the players at half time was that wif they lost the match to Bayern, they would only pass the UEFA CL cup but they would not touch it. And it would be perharps the only time in their lifetime that they would get such an opportunity. It looked as if that was what it would be, until in the 90th minute when Teddy equalized. Then the ball is restarted, Bayern lose possesion alomst immediately. United pass the ball quickly to the wing. A bayern defender outwits Ole and kicks the the ball away for a corner. Beckahm takes the corner just as the previous one from which Teddy scored. The ball bounces along the dangerous zone after a Bayern defender fails to clear it. And there is 20LEGEND properly ppositioned to knick the ball into the net. It is over! United have won it and according to a TV commentator who was covering the match, ”Manchseter United have won the UEFA CL Cup in a most dramatic way that is likely never to be equalled.” You cannot forget that night if you are a true Man U fan. Some Liverpool fans have tended to argue that their 2005 win over AC Milan was more dramatical – but I differ. No one will ever win it as dramatic as United and no one will ever score such a priceless goal as the one by the 2OLEGEND that night. I cannot say much at the moment, I am sendin tear as I write this one…
August 28th, 2007 at 15:43
While we are all in a reflective mood we should all take a moment to think of Antonio Puerta, the Sevilla full back (aged 22) who has sadly passed away in the last hour. Puerta suffered two heart attacks during the game with Getafe at the weekend. RIP.
August 28th, 2007 at 15:46
i feel like crying right now but hey everyone has his time. thanks ole for all the contribution . id like to to dedicate this to you(though its very common)
OLE….OLE OLE OLE……OLE..OLE
OLE….OLE OLE OLE……OLE..OLE
OLE….OLE OLE OLE……OLE..OLE
let me cry now(sob sob sob)
August 28th, 2007 at 16:22
ole is a united legend and is going to be sadly missed
neville=brown
giggs=nani
scholes=anderson
ole=irreplaceable
August 28th, 2007 at 16:53
jesus this guy knew how to hit the target! his finishing was just truly devastating, out of this world! with the exception of RVN, we have never had such a potent finisher at United in my memory. Had he not suffered that unfortunate injury, or been used as a bench player for most of his United career, he could have been one of the Premiership all-time leading scorers, up there with the likes of Shearer, Cole, Yorke, Fowler et al. Exemplary attitude; never complained when he was on the bench and always did a job when he was called off it, with his numerous late, late goals (May 1999!!!!), he was the ultimate model professional. I certainly wouldn’t be against the retirement of the number 20 in his honour, unless one of his sons go on to play for United. Thanks for everything Ole. Long live 20LEgend!
Also RIP Antonio Puerta
August 28th, 2007 at 16:54
It really is sad, but I guess the way the last few years have gone it was almost inevitable. Sadly. A real legend, a true Man Utd player through and through. How amazing it would be if we had more players now that were as commited as he was (and still is, no doubt)
Its always a shame when a players body cannot sustain the required level of fitness.
Also, good point JB, a thought for Puerta. Atleast Ole can live out a long and happy retirement. Sadly this young promising player never had the chance to have a full career. RIP.
August 28th, 2007 at 17:21
A player who put loyalty before riches. Answered back by making a difference on the pitch rather then with words or demands.
Solskjaer would’ve never acted teh way heinze did, a true hero, never forgotten.
even better news is teh fact ole is gonna continue as a coach and club ambassador.
thanks for the memories 20legend, always one of us.
upsetting about puerta. rip.
August 28th, 2007 at 20:10
My favourite United player by far, he is the epitome of what the players at United should aspire to. OGS has world wide respect, believe.
Like we’re all saying; you will be missed Baby Faced Assassin, yet you do remain our 20LEgend forever.
Love from Manchester x
August 28th, 2007 at 20:17
You are my Solskjaer,
my Ole Solskjaer,
You make me happy,
when skies are grey,
Oh Alan Shearer,
was f*ckin dearer,
please don’t take,
my Solskjaer away!
Who put the ball in the Germans’ net
Who put the ball in the Germans’ net
Who put the ball in the Germans’ net
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
(from may 26th 1999, when old scored the winning goal)
Who put the ball in the scouser’s net
Who put the ball in the scouser’s net
Who put the ball in the scouser’s net
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
(from the FA cup fourth round tie in 1999)
August 28th, 2007 at 20:46
And of course our love goes out for Puerta, so saddening.
from Manchester x
August 28th, 2007 at 22:18
What about Adriano…?
August 29th, 2007 at 8:16
This may actually be a blessing in disguise. We obviously need another striker and we get Solskaer as a coach to tutor the new guy. My choice is Quagliarella. I wouldn’t be surprised if SAF has something up his sleeve at this point.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:03
Thank you with all our heart Ole for all those fabulous moments you were on/off pitch as a Man Utd player. It was really special to have seen you in the famous Red shirt. Best wishes with your future endeavors.
As for his replacement, Gudjhonsen!
Get him Fergie. He could be ours for 6m or so (better deal than Dafoe or Anelka or anyone else)
August 29th, 2007 at 12:55
Let’s hope United give him (and us) a testominal to remember next summer.
August 29th, 2007 at 19:14
A true Manchester United player. He will be remembered by everyone associated with the club.
Thanks Ole.