To understand the essence of Solskjaer it is important to rewind to Dec 5, 2006, when the striker was talking to his friend, Bernt Jakob Oksnes, a well-known reporter in Norway.
Solskjaer was musing on what qualities were required to succeed at Old Trafford. "You can't come that far with pure talent," Solskjaer told Oksnes. "You only reach the first team of Manchester United with the hard work and willpower of steel." The next day, Solskjaer took his usual seat on the bench as United took on Benfica in a Champions League group match. As the game pushed into the later stages, Ferguson gave Solskjaer the nod to warm up as he would soon be replacing Paul Scholes. And Old Trafford started to sing, Stretford End at first, then North Stand, and then the whole stadium: 'You are my Solskjaer, my Ole Solskjaer; you make me happy when skies are grey.'
"I asked him what he felt when Old Trafford sang his song, even at times when he was injured. 'I feel proud, but a bit embarrassed as well,' he answered. 'I think to myself: 'Why me?' A little man from Kristiansund.' A legend at Old Trafford."
As the 35-year-old bows out with a testimonial against Espanyol, all football will miss the man for more than just his goals. Solskjaer has been a wonderful ambassador for the game, and all proceeds from this match, and a planned telethon, go towards 10 new schools in Africa.
'You are my Solskjaer, my Ole Solskjaer; you make me happy when skies are grey.'
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