Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Biography
Ole Gunnar Solskjær (born February 26, 1973) is a Norwegian football player who currently plays for Manchester United (since July 1996). Before he moved to England, he played part time for Third Division Norwegian Clausenengen F.K., later moving to Norwegian Premier League Molde F.K. in 1994. He is married and has two children. Solskjær is 1.78 m tall and weighs 74 kg. He currently wears the number 20 shirt for Manchester United. He is a patron of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (formerly Shareholders United)Solskjaer is famous, and extremely popular amongst Manchester United fans, for his ability to score goals late into the game, often handing Manchester United a draw or win from the brink of defeat. The most famous feat of which occurred in the European Cup Final of 1999 at Nou Camp.
In 2003-04, Solskjær found himself in and out of the United squad as he struggled with a recurring knee problem. Coupled with the arrival of Fulham's Louis Saha in January 2004, Solskjær found himself out of the United first team, and found himself in either his original 'supersub' role or in an attacking midfield position; despite this, Solskjær returned from injury in time to appear in the 2004 FA Cup final, which United won. However, the arrival of Alan Smith in the summer of 2004 led to rumours that he was to leave Old Trafford, along with Nicky Butt, who eventually went to Newcastle United, and David Bellion, who had been largely replaced in the first team by Wayne Rooney. Solskjær underwent intensive knee surgery in early August 2004, which resulted in him missing the entire 2004-05 season. Despite United's heavyweight strikeforce conceivably limiting the 32-year-old's chances of playing even when he was fit again, the Old Trafford faithful still hoped to see him play for United again; indeed, he has an almost fanatical loyalty from many United fans.
To show Solskjær that he had not been forgotten while out injured, the United faithful added a banner to the famous collection that lines the Stretford End reading "20 LEGEND" [1] (Solskjær wears number 20 for United). Solskjær further enhanced his reputation amongst United fans when he became a patron of the fans action group Shareholders United.
On March 31, 2006 Solskjær signed a new contract with Manchester United until the end of the 2008 season. This contract will allow him to develop his coaching awards as well. Sir Alex Ferguson has also stated that Ole would be used in an ambassadorial role for the club; in 2006, he traveled to Hong Kong and played with some Manchester United Soccer School students of Hong Kong. In July 2006, Solskjær participated in a pre-season game for United against Orlando Pirates, playing for 45 minutes and scoring 2 goals in United's 4-0 win. (In the final leg of the "challenge" United lost on Penalties.) He also scored in matches against Preston and Porto. Sir Alex Ferguson praised Ole and is reconsidering his options to buy a new striker.[3]. On August 16, 2006 Solskjær returned for the Norwegian national team against Brazil in a 1-1 draw in which he played 45 minutes.
On September 02, 2006 Solskjær scored his first goals for the National team after his injury, when he scored the first and last goals against Hungary. The goals were scored in a Euro 2008 qualifying match, which Norway won 4-1. This was also the first professional match he started and ended on the pitch after his injury.
His favourite Norwegian talent is Christer Johansen, "the right back is amazing" he said to the Norwegian newspaper Bergens Tidende
With Thanks to Wikipedia.org