Solskjaer to United: Ole's best moments for United
Manchester United's new caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is already revered by fans for his performances as a striker between 1996 and 2007.
Published : Dec 19, 2018 20:00 IST
Manchester United's new caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also the scorer of one United's most iconic goals. The Norwegian, who was described as a "club legend" by Ed Woodward, is certainly remembered fondly by supporters.
Between 1996 and 2007, Solskjaer scored 126 goals in 366 appearances with United during a trophy-laden spell under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Among his most important contributions is scoring the winner in the 1998-99 Champions League final to seal the treble.
We take a look at five of Solskjaer's memorable moments as a United player.
Super-sub legend born on his debut
Ferguson bought Solskjaer for £1.5million from Molde in July 1996 and he made an immediate impression. His new club was trailing 2-1 at Old Trafford to Blackburn Rovers on August 25 when Solskjaer was called for from the bench. Six minutes into his debut, he had opened his account for United, finishing after Tim Flowers had saved his initial attempt and salvaged a draw.
A late winner against Liverpool
United's treble dream would have ended on January 24 1999 had Solskjaer not inspired a dramatic turnaround against Liverpool in the FA Cup. Michael Owen's goal looked like being enough to send United out of the competition but Ferguson threw on Solskjaer nine minutes from time and after Dwight Yorke levelled in the 88th minute, the Norwegian steered home a winner in a 2-1 victory.
Four goal in 12 minutes
That cameo from the bench was impressive, but nothing like the impact he had in United's 8-1 win over Nottingham Forest in February 1999. Ferguson's men were already 4-1 up when he called for Solskjaer with 19 minutes remaining. He found the net four times to add an exclamation mark to an emphatic victory, which was United's record away win.
And Solskjaer has won it
Three months after that night in Nottingham, Solskjaer made an indelible mark on the club's history in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Ferguson's treble-seeking side was behind in stoppage time when Teddy Sheringham turned home an equaliser. Solskjaer then stuck out his right foot to score a dramatic winner and cap a remarkable campaign.
Another four-goal haul
Solskjaer did not always come off the bench and on December 4 1999 he made the most of one his starting opportunities against Everton at Old Trafford. United had to come from behind but once Denis Irwin's penalty cancelled out Francis Jeffers' opener, Solskjaer took over as he helped himself to another four-goal haul.