FRAIZER Campbell scored the winner but Ryan Giggs was in no doubt who was the catalyst for Manchester United's win over Espanyol.

"Ole changed the game," said Giggs.

"As soon as he came on he got us playing. You never lose that ability. He created a few chances and forced a brilliant save out of their goalkeeper."

Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson jokingly suggested he might draft Solskjaer back into his squad for the odd 10-minute run-out this season.

Ferguson could certainly do with a striker like Solskjaer in his prime just now.

Alarmingly short of numbers two weeks from the Barclays Premier League opener against Newcastle, the United boss has apparently written Louis Saha out of his plans, confirming instead that Campbell will remain at Old Trafford and dashing the hopes of Hull coach Phil Brown, who hoped to have the youngster at the KC Stadium instead.

Ferguson will rely on roughly the same squad at Peterborough tomorrow and while Gary Neville should be available for Wednesday's clash with Juventus after a calf strain, Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick will not be seen until next Sunday's Community Shield meeting with Portsmouth at the earliest after succumbing to a virus.

Not that United's worries were allowed to cloud Solskjaer's testimonial.

It is a measure of the Norwegian's popularity that almost 70,000 fans turned out for his big day, ticket sales easily outpacing those for Juventus' visit.

"I have had the best players in the world around me," said Solskjaer.

"That makes it easy for forwards. You don't have to work hard creating chances for yourself, they do it for you.

Humble

"The fact I had that and played for the best manager in the world, in front of the best supporters makes me feel very humble."

Teddy Sheringham, the 'other' substitute on that never-to-be-forgotten night against Bayern Munich in the Nou Camp in 1999, ensured he was part of the celebrations in honour of his old team-mate, with Paul Scholes among those happy to pay tribute.

"When Ole arrived (coach) Jim Ryan was the only one who had heard of him," he said.

"Jim had been over to see him and recommended to the manager that we sign him. I am glad we did.

"Testimonials don't happen very often and it says a lot for Ole that he stayed here long enough to receive one.

"There were probably times in his career when he might not have played as much football as he liked.

"But he always got himself ready for the games. How many times did he come on and change a match for us?"

Solskjaer can now concentrate on his job as reserve team manager, leaving his former team-mates to carry the fight into a new campaign.

"We are getting there," said Giggs.

"None of the lads are quite at 100% yet but every game helps.

"The seasons seem to come round quite quickly now.

"Pre-season is long. You just have to do the hard work and hopefully it will pay dividends once the competitive matches begin."