Football
  • Home
  • Features
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’S Most Iconic Moments For Manchester United, Norway And More

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s most iconic moments for Manchester United, Norway and more

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scores the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a hugely successful career as a Manchester United player, and is now aiming to replicate those iconic moments as the manager at Old Trafford.

Although Solskjaer is yet to bring a trophy to the club since he has been at the helm, the Norwegian has turned around his team's fortunes on the pitch and has possibly signalled the end of United's wilderness years since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

Planet Sport looks at some of Solskjaer's most iconic moments in his career so far.

Signing for Manchester United

Solskjaer arrived at United in the summer of 1996 as somewhat of an unknown quantity.
Despite being a prolific goalscorer for Molde, Solskjaer was expected to mostly act as a back-up for United's star names of Andy Cole and Eric Cantona. And with Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly also targeting Alan Shearer to bolster his attack, the Norweigan would have limited chances to shine.
But Solskjær more than exceeded expectations, as he finished his debut season in English soccer with 19 goals in 46 games helping the club win the Premier League. Solskjaer only scored more goals in a season once more in his United career.
United didn't need Shearer.

Winning the Treble and scoring that goal

In 1998/99, United made history by becoming the first and only English side in to win a continental Treble.
After a drop-off in goals the season prior, Solskjaer returned to prolific form to help his side achieve the feat.

First came the Premier League, coming from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur on the final day. Next an FA Cup final win over Newcastle United. Finally, the Champions League victory against Bayern Munich.

Everyone knows the story by now and it's a moment that's etched into the Red Devils' folklore.
Trailing in second-half stoppage time, United looked dead and buried.
Then in the 91st minute Teddy Sheringham levelled the scores, and less than two minutes later Solskjaer poked home the winner to cement his status as a club legend for years to come.

Back-to-back-to back Premier Leagues and more trophies

After the triumph of 1998/99, two more consecutive top-flight titles followed, as Ferguson's team became unstoppable, serial winners.
Another two Premier Leagues were won during Solskjaer's time at the club, taking his total to an impressive six.
An FA Cup, two Community Shields and an Intercontinental Cup were also claimed, with over 40 appearances made in those seasons, including a staggering 57 games played in 2002/03.
Solskjaer hung up his boots at the end of the 2006/07 season, after failing to recover from a knee injury. He was awarded a testimonial by United in 2008, with 69,000 fans turning out for a match against Espanyol.
In the latter years of Solskjaer's playing days, he helped coach the strikers at the club, before moving into a full-time coaching role with Manchester United Reserves.

Playing at a World Cup and European Championship

Solskjaer also represented Norway at international level for 12 years, making 67 appearances for his country with a tally of 23 goals.
Solskjaer was selected to play for Norway at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championships, where they reached the round of 16 and group stage respectively.
Solskjaer formed a strong goalscoring relationship with then Chelsea's Tore Andre Flo, which is still regarded as one of Norway's greatest ever strike partnerships.

Managerial success with Molde

In 2010, Solskjaer returned to his native Norway to manage at the club that got him the move to the Premier League, Molde.
Just as was the case during his days as a player, Solskjaer was successful and won the Tippeligaen in his first two seasons at the club and Kniksen Coach of the Year Awards for 2011 and 2012.
He secured Molde's place in the Europa League qualifiers after winning the 2013 Norwegian Cup.
An unsuccessful nine months with Cardiff City in 2014 saw Solskjaer relegated from the Premier League and begin the next season in the Championship poorly. His dismissal paved the way for a return to Molde a year later.
Solskjaer failed to win the Eliteserien (formerly the Tippeligaen) in his second stint at the Aker Stadion. But results improved under his watch and he caught the eye of another one of his former clubs, who were looking for a new manager.

Manchester United caretaker manager

After the sacking of Jose Mourinho, United moved swiftly to secure the services of Solskjaer for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.

After two months the Norweigan had claimed 14 wins from 19 games and the Premier League Manager of the Month award for January. He was appointed as permanent boss on a three-year-deal.
Solskjaer improved United's fortunes during the 2019/20 season, finishing third in the Premier League but failed to win any silverware.
The club reached the semi-finals in the Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but were unable to progress any further.

Wins over top managers

Over the last couple of seasons, Solskjaer has been criticised for supposedly not being a particularly 'tactical' manager, like his counterparts at other top clubs in Europe.

However, in the last 18 months Solskjaer has beaten Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel, Jose Mourinho and Marcelo Bielsa.

It can be said that the Norwegian knows how to get the best of some of the world's elite managers.

More Articles