Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed his retirement from football at the age of 34.
The Norwegian, who moved to Old Trafford 11 years ago and scored the winner in the 1999 Champions League final, has decided to step down after continuing problems with a knee injury.
Solskjaer will remain at the club in a coaching capacity and will represent Manchester United as an official ambassador.
Solskjaer said: 'I would like to thank the manager. The coaching and medical staff and most of all the supporters, who have supported me through my career.
'They have been fantastic and were a real inspiration to me when I was out injured.'
Solskjaer joined the Red Devils for £1.5million from Molde in 1996 but has spent the last four seasons struggling with injury and was yet to appear for the Red Devils this season.
He did manage 11 goals in United's title-winning campaign last term, with his most recent appearance in the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea on May 19 when he came on as an extra-time substitute.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hailed a player who 'achieved everything'.
'Ending your playing career is a sad day for anyone, in the case of Ole, he has 11 fantastic years he can look back on,' he said.
'Ole has achieved everything a player could ever wish to achieve.
'He has been a great servant to the club and has always remained a model professional in his responsibility as a player, in his demeanour and his manners have always been exemplary.
'Ole will hopefully go on to be a good coach.'
Chief executive David Gill added: 'Ole has provided us all with some exceptional memories during his time here at the club.
'Nobody will ever forget his dramatic winner in Barcelona, but much more than that his dedication and professionalism make him one of the great role models in football.'
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Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Carlos Tevez’s slight, but crucial, touch on Nani’s powerful shot means he should be rewarded with the goal, according to Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Carlos Tevez’s slight, but crucial, touch on Nani’s powerful shot means he should be rewarded with the goal, according to Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Portuguese winger Nani rifled in a shot that swerved past Paul Robinson in the Tottenham goal, but television replays showed the ball had taken a slight deflection off the head of his Argentinian team-mate.
The detail didn’t matter much at the time, there was just sheer relief inside Old Trafford that the goal led to United’s first win of the season. But, former centre-forward Sir Alex says the goal should be credited to Tevez.
“Carlos Tevez’s touch on the ball decided,” he told Sky Sports. “It may have gone in anyway because it was such a ferocious hit. But, personally, I think it’s Tevez’s goal, being a centre-forward.”
The Reds manager also dismissed Tottenham’s claims for a second-half penalty when Wes Brown blocked Dimitar Berbatov’s shot from six yards out.
“At the time they protested so much that I thought it must have been a penalty,” he said. “But I’ve seen it, it’s clear, and Wes said himself that it hit him on the chest. As it hits him, his arm comes out so maybe that’s why they thought it hit his arm. But I’m sure of it, it hit his chest.”
Source: Manchester United Official Website Read more...
Portuguese winger Nani rifled in a shot that swerved past Paul Robinson in the Tottenham goal, but television replays showed the ball had taken a slight deflection off the head of his Argentinian team-mate.
The detail didn’t matter much at the time, there was just sheer relief inside Old Trafford that the goal led to United’s first win of the season. But, former centre-forward Sir Alex says the goal should be credited to Tevez.
“Carlos Tevez’s touch on the ball decided,” he told Sky Sports. “It may have gone in anyway because it was such a ferocious hit. But, personally, I think it’s Tevez’s goal, being a centre-forward.”
The Reds manager also dismissed Tottenham’s claims for a second-half penalty when Wes Brown blocked Dimitar Berbatov’s shot from six yards out.
“At the time they protested so much that I thought it must have been a penalty,” he said. “But I’ve seen it, it’s clear, and Wes said himself that it hit him on the chest. As it hits him, his arm comes out so maybe that’s why they thought it hit his arm. But I’m sure of it, it hit his chest.”
Source: Manchester United Official Website Read more...
Rio's respect for new signings
Rio Ferdinand is full of admiration for United's new signings after their less than ideal introduction to life at Old Trafford.
The Reds defender says injuries and suspensions to established players have not provided the best platform for Nani and Carlos Tevez, when they would have preferred to slide into a more settled side.
"It isn’t easy for the new signings to slot in, especially when there are a lot of injuries and the side’s a bit fragmented," said Ferdinand.
"It’s been a difficult period for them, but they’ve done well. Carlos’ movement, his know-how and his nous around the pitch have been very, very good.
"Nani’s the young player with huge potential. It’s fantastic for Nani, having come to a big club like United, to hit the target like that.
"In that respect he’s similar to Ronaldo, he can hit the ball so hard that as long as he hits the target he’s got a chance of scoring like he did today.
"Hopefully we're going to see a lot more goals like that in the future."
Source: Manchester United Official Website. Read more...
The Reds defender says injuries and suspensions to established players have not provided the best platform for Nani and Carlos Tevez, when they would have preferred to slide into a more settled side.
"It isn’t easy for the new signings to slot in, especially when there are a lot of injuries and the side’s a bit fragmented," said Ferdinand.
"It’s been a difficult period for them, but they’ve done well. Carlos’ movement, his know-how and his nous around the pitch have been very, very good.
"Nani’s the young player with huge potential. It’s fantastic for Nani, having come to a big club like United, to hit the target like that.
"In that respect he’s similar to Ronaldo, he can hit the ball so hard that as long as he hits the target he’s got a chance of scoring like he did today.
"Hopefully we're going to see a lot more goals like that in the future."
Source: Manchester United Official Website. Read more...
Boss: Brighter times ahead
Sir Alex Ferguson has given United fans further good news on the back of the club's first Barclays Premier League win in 2007/08.
Speaking after Sunday's narrow 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, the Reds boss revealed both Louis Saha and Anderson should be involved when Sunderland visit Old Trafford. The latter has yet to play for United competitively due to a hamstring problem.
"I think Louis Saha will be available for next Saturday's game, and Anderson will definitely be fit," said Sir Alex.
"We've got other players to come back, too. Gary Neville is a couple of weeks away, so we're getting there. There are also new players settling into the team, like Nani and Tevez.
"It's never easy coming to United when teams are so revved up to play against us. It is not going to be easy for them and they need time to settle. We have to be patient."
Sir Alex will hope the imminent additions of Anderson and Saha will address United's uncharacteristic problems in attack - prior to Nani's stunning winner against Spurs, the Reds had failed to score in 233 minutes of football.
"I thought we lacked a bit of confidence in the early part of the match," admitted Sir Alex. "I think the players were anxious, because the expectation is high here.
"But once the first ten minutes were over, it was a reasonable performance from us, not brilliant, not as good as in previous games.
"What was required during the second half and right through the game was to dig in, play with great commitment and show the right discipline to win a football match. 1-0 was a great scoreline today simply because it was going to be a difficult game anyway.
"I can look on today as the first time this season that we've had a little break. Hopefully it will give us the confidence to enjoy our football and we can now go on a long run." Read more...
Speaking after Sunday's narrow 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, the Reds boss revealed both Louis Saha and Anderson should be involved when Sunderland visit Old Trafford. The latter has yet to play for United competitively due to a hamstring problem.
"I think Louis Saha will be available for next Saturday's game, and Anderson will definitely be fit," said Sir Alex.
"We've got other players to come back, too. Gary Neville is a couple of weeks away, so we're getting there. There are also new players settling into the team, like Nani and Tevez.
"It's never easy coming to United when teams are so revved up to play against us. It is not going to be easy for them and they need time to settle. We have to be patient."
Sir Alex will hope the imminent additions of Anderson and Saha will address United's uncharacteristic problems in attack - prior to Nani's stunning winner against Spurs, the Reds had failed to score in 233 minutes of football.
"I thought we lacked a bit of confidence in the early part of the match," admitted Sir Alex. "I think the players were anxious, because the expectation is high here.
"But once the first ten minutes were over, it was a reasonable performance from us, not brilliant, not as good as in previous games.
"What was required during the second half and right through the game was to dig in, play with great commitment and show the right discipline to win a football match. 1-0 was a great scoreline today simply because it was going to be a difficult game anyway.
"I can look on today as the first time this season that we've had a little break. Hopefully it will give us the confidence to enjoy our football and we can now go on a long run." Read more...
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