Ole Gunnar Solskjaer : The Baby Faced Assassin

Well, Manchester United. Tremendous team today. Coached by a club legend. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. We all know what a manager Solskjaer looks like. Pretty average in thriving for titles. But good at building a team. But how did the player Solskjaer look? Let's have a walk down memory lane.

Source

Most people who are not into football usually think of Ole as a one season wonder. Even the fans didn't think much of him when Ole was brought into Manchester United. After Shearer in a phone call suddenly denied Sir Alex a for transfer to Newcastle, Sir Alex made a panic call to sign a certain Norwegian guy who was pretty talented and was good at scoring goals from long range. His name was Ole. Funny how Newcastle got the best striker in England at that time while Manchester United got Norwegian skinny kid with some talent. But was it actually the case?

Manchester United was packed with quality players and literally the best team in England who won 4 league titles in 5 seasons. So Ole obviously wasn't gonna start in that team right away, benched. But Ole in his first season at Man United made immediate impact. In the 1996/97 season he scored a total of 18 goals with 4 assists while starting 25 times and being substituted in 8 times. Soon he was called the "Baby Faced Assassin" by the fans. His second season however, wasn't as much good. He was not in the squad for a lot of games and was substituted on 7 times. He ended up scoring 6 goals. Not much of an impressive season for United either because Arsenal won the double that season. Though something epic was coming for United the next season, their greatest achievement ever. The treble. And behind it Ole's contribution will forever be remembered.

United's treble is probably the luckiest treble any club has ever had. In fact it was literally Ole who won them both right in the end. On April 18th 1999, United played Newcastle with a point ahead of Arsenal having played two games more. Arsenal had won 9 of their last ten matches. United was on the top but were bound to choke. Newcastle made the score 1-1. And by the end of the game it was looking Newcastle will win it, when Lee started to make a run towards the goal leaving everyone behind. Closest player was Solskjaer who was 10 yards off. He caught up and knocked down Lee before he could reach the box as United couldn't afford to lose the game. Solskjaer had made a foul, a foul for his team. A foul so that his team doesn't lose points. And yes if Newcastle won that game, Arsenal would've won the league. Solskjaer knew the red was coming. Everyone in the crowd gave Solskjaer a standing ovation. This was the day a new legend was born. It was the day he bled for the jersey even if it meant by doing a foul. Even though a red meant it was his last game for United in the league that season. He still took it. The clubs saw a player with passion, willing to do the dirty stuff to ensure their club's win. That same season, the champions league final. United were facing Bayern Munich. It was almost going Bayern's way as they were leading by a goal the whole game. Until of course, Fergie time. Teddy Sheringham scored a goal in the 91st minute to make it 1-1. And none other but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it 2-1 in the 93rd minute. United won from a completely outside chance. Ole is a true red devil inside out. He is a man who played with passion for the club.

In the 2001/02 season he nearly also won the Golden Boot with 17 goals. Where he started just 23 games. This guy was one of the greatest super subs of all time. At the end, he retired as one of the highest goals and assists providers with 92 and 36 respectively. G+A (92+36) involvers in PL history. Also scored important goals for United in the champions league too. Ole layed in every position Fergie asked him for. This even includes the midfield. Ole literally became a Manchester United and a premier league legend, From The Bench.

This one for a player who would do anything and everything for the badge that was on his shirt. Now he's at United again, as a coach. Doing a pretty good job. following Sir Alex's footsteps. We can only wish the "Baby faced assassin", the very best of luck.