On the 25th of August, 1996, a 23 year Old Norwegian forward came on as a 64th minute substitute for Manchester United in a league game against Blackburn Rovers. Eight minutes into his debut, the youngster ran onto a ball headed on by Jordi Cryuff and slotted home an equalizer past the Blackburn goal keeper. He had just saved Man United from the brink of defeat, something he would go on to do time and again right through his Manchester United career. The youngster in question is none other than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had just announced his arrival on the Old Trafford stage.
Signed in July 1996 from Molde FK for £1.5 million, Solskjaer made 366 appearances for the club and scored a total of 126 goals in the 11 years that he spent at Old Trafford. Solskjaer went on to score 19 goals in his first season as a Manchester United player and played a major role in helping them win the league title that season. He was very often dubbed as "Super Sub", because of his tendency to come off the bench as a substitute and very often, score crucial match saving goals.
A model professional, Solskjaer did not play for money. He valued playing for the red of Manchester United more than the money. He wanted to be loved and adored by the fans... He was a lethal finisher no doubt, but it was the commitment and the professionalism with which he played that made him a real favorite amongst the Old Trafford faithful.
Ole’s most important contribution on the football field might have been the stoppage time winner in the champions league finals against Bayern Munich at the Nuo Camp but it is unfortunate that it very often overshadows other essential contributions made by him.
What about the fours goals he scored in 12 minutes after coming on as a substitute in a league game against Nottingham Forest in 1999? He helped United win the game 8-1 which till date remains the premiership’s biggest away win. Or the late winner against Liverpool in the treble winning season? Owen had given Liverpool the lead early on in the game and it seemed certain that United were going to get knocked out of the FA Cup in the 5th round at the hands on their bitter rivals, Liverpool. Fortunately for United, Dwight Yorke leveled the score in the 88th minute and a couple of minutes later, Solskjaer slotted the ball past the Liverpool keeper to win the game for United.
And then the winter of 1999, where Ole repeated what he had done 10 months ago against Nottingham. Only this time, it was Everton at the receiving end. He scored four goals against them ensuring United, after going a goal down won the game 5-1.
And then there was the whole Rob Lee saga. With very few games left for the 1997/98 season to end, it was essential for United to win against Newcastle in order to keep up with table toppers, Arsenal. Ole had come on as a substitute when the score with the score being tied at 1-1. In the closing stages on the game, Ole came very close to scoring the winner only to see his shot cleared off the line by a Newcastle player. The ball fell to Rob Lee who had a free run on goal. Had he scored, United’s season would been over. Sprinting back with phenomenal determination, Ole chased Lee till the edge of the United area and went into a horrible tackle which resulted in a red card being handed out to Ole by the referee. It was completely out of character but it was a sacrifice he made for the team. He was given a standing ovation by the old Trafford crowed as the got off the field.
Half way through the 2003/04 season, Solskjaer began to struggle with a knee injury which would eventually be the cause of his retirement. It was at around this time when the United fans in order to show their support the Solskjaer mounted a banner that read ‘20 LEGEND’ at the Stretford End of Old Trafford. 
On the 5th of December, he played for the Manchester United reserve team against the Liverpool reserve team. The baby faced assassin had finally made his long awaited comeback. 3 weeks later, he made his first team return in a league game against Birmingham City. Ole was slowly but surely returning to full fitness. Just when things started looking up for Ole, he injured his cheek bone in a game against Middlesbrough which kept him out for the game for another five months.
In August 2006, he made another comeback to the first team in an away game against Charlton and also scored his first premiership goal in 2 years. It was a special moment for Ole and everyone associated with the club. After two torrid years of struggling with injuries, Ole was back. He scored 11 goals that season and won the league title with Man United for the sixth time in his career.
On the 5th of June, 2007 Solskjaer announced his retirement from professional football. The news shocked United fans throughout the world. After 11 long, illustrious years with the club, it was time for him to hang his boots. He was a player who scored many crucial goals for us, a player who loved the fans and was loved even more in return by them. A player who was never involved in any controversies. A player who never complained about being left on the bench for a majority of his Man United career. A legend in every sense of the word. Thank you Ole for all the goals. Thank you Ole for all the memories. You will never be forgotten.
20LEGEND - RESPECT!
-Rohit Ramachandran
And then there was the whole Rob Lee saga. With very few games left for the 1997/98 season to end, it was essential for United to win against 
