Last hurrah for Solskjaer

Stuart Mathieson

December 20, 2007

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer looks set for a bumper United testimonial match as part of next August's pre-season programme.

The Reds legend retired in August at the age of 34 following a losing battle with knee problems but the club will agree to a benefit match for the Norwegian.

United have to wait until approached by a committee who are willing to organise the event.

It is understood a team has been formed to arrange the match for Solskjaer and will in due course approach the club and ask for the free loan of Old Trafford, which will be a formality.

United are flying out for a three-match tour of South Africa next July but a date on their return in the run-up to the new Premiership campaign would be the most likely available gap in the warm-up schedule.

No opponents have yet been discussed.

Scored

But if Bayern Munich were free to travel to England, then a game for Solskjaer against the side he scored the famous Champions League final winner against in 1999, would be an emotional and appropriate pairing.

Solskjaer said a brief Old Trafford farewell before the Sunderland match earlier this season in the week he announced he was quitting.

Ironically, among those who formed a guard of honour was visiting boss Roy Keane, who had the last testimonial at United when a 69,591 crowd turned up in tribute for the Reds vs Celtic benefit.

It was a record attendance for a testimonial in the UK but since then the quadrants in the corner's of Old Trafford's East and West Stands have become fully operational and a potential new record of 76,000 could salute Solskjaer.

Meanwhile, a frozen pitch scuppered plans for Ji-sung Park to line up for United's Reserves against Oldham Athletic in the Lancashire Senior Cup yesterday afternoon.

Park has been out of action since damaging cruciate knee ligaments against Blackburn Rovers in March and will now have to settle for honing his game in training in preparation for a possible comeback this month.

Who would you like to see Ole's side play? Have your say.

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Birdy, Ireland (20/12/2007 at 08:53)

Bayern would be ideal really. Apart from that i would suggest Notts Forest, as other than the Bayern goal i think his most legendary appearance was the 4 goals scored against them after coming off the bench. However, being realistic, that wouldnt be much of a crowd puller or a contest, so stick with Bayern!

wayneold, manc (20/12/2007 at 09:06)

This guy was and continues to still be a great professional and servant to football!

I wouldn’t be surprised if donates all proceeds to charity!

Red Willy, Hale (20/12/2007 at 09:41)

If Bayern don't agree to it then how's about Nottingham Forest. 4 goals in ten minutes must still be one of his fondest memories.

Joe, Malta (20/12/2007 at 09:44)

Birdy as you said Bayern would be the ideal opposition as long as they re still not bitter about the defeat. They shouldn t of course but you never know...

Bill Wirral (20/12/2007 at 10:41)

How about a Norwegian eleven. He has been such a great player for both club and country. But whoever it is I hope he keeps all the proceeds for himself and his family. No one deserves it more

Little Red Devil, England (20/12/2007 at 12:59)

Great news for Ole , It would be nice if the match was against BMunich , can't see then really wanting to be reminded of that night, and 90 mins of hearing who put the ball in the German's Net might not be their idea of a great night out, it's king of rubbing it in one last time , would be great to see. Forest would be a good choice for the 4 goals and the fact it would be a nice Pre season game for team as well.

Head to Toe, Denton (20/12/2007 at 14:46)

Would love to see us play a side that included Rob Lee, then they could get to know each other just like before. Best sending off I ever saw. Hats off to you Ole. Tremendous.

Birdy, Ireland (20/12/2007 at 15:26)

Bill i'd say there's quite a few charities deserve it more. In this day and age, on the money the players are on, and Solskjaer was around to catch that gravy train, none of the players need testimonials for monetary reasons. As such i dont think they should be keeping the funds. By all means play testimonials as a way for the fans to thank the player and vice cersa, but the gate receipts should go to a charity or charities of the players choosing

neal 07, Birmingham (20/12/2007 at 16:57)

Ole! Ole! Ole!

what do you think of playing FC Molde? that is his only real club other than us, it would be a great way of thanking them for training him as a youngster, he could even give them the gate reciepts. more millionaire footballers should do that for the club that started them out on the premiership goldmine.

Long live the legend you are Ole.

best of luck

Gerry, Glastonbury (20/12/2007 at 17:40)

Agree Birdy. Top players now are millionaires as soon as they sign a contract.It defeats the whole object and purpose of what a testimonial was designed for.

Bill Wirral (20/12/2007 at 17:40)

Birdy, as one of many that support charities I do get the point you make and will never argue against it. But Olly has never been a greedy grabbing so and so and has never held the club to ransom and has just been a fantastic servant to us throughout his career. It was with that in mind that I made the comment. He probabley will donate it to charity anyway as already mentioned.

Duncan, London (20/12/2007 at 17:44)

Aye HTT that has to be the best sending off I have personally seen (apart from maybe Di Canio pushing the ref over).

Mrs Fullaway`s lodger (20/12/2007 at 17:51)

Birdy, totally agree on where the money should go to.

The opponents have to be Bayern Munich, WITH Rob Lee, AND the Notts Forest goalie who picked the ball out of the net four times in 10 mins as honorary players... Ole!

cjh, Portland (20/12/2007 at 21:16)

Will Sol Campbell be invited?

rlfan, greater manchester (21/12/2007 at 11:17)

How about a squad OLE & SAF PICK from united legends & the new england manager picking A REST OF THE WORLD LEGENDS!!!
Could happen

Alias Smith, over the moon (22/12/2007 at 00:51)

Birdy, totally off-topic but have you been following the developments as regards the new owners at Liverpool?

I know you were once concerned that they were going to become much stronger financially than us but the new owners are looking more and more like the poor man's Glazers, don't you agree?

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