EmptyRed Column: The Return of 20Legend

Legend !
By EmptyRed
September 20 2006

In his fifth column, messageboard regular EmptyRed takes a look at a true Red Devils legend. Having, once again, bounced back from a horrific injury, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is already banging in the goals to the delight of United fans everywhere.

I can still remember Clive Tyldesley's immortal words - "And Solskjaer has won it".

I jumped for joy, with everyone else. But Ole's face said it all, his joy and his delight were the same as on all the fans who danced with sheer unadulterated passion of the United faithful on that balmy night in Barcelona. Ole has always held a special place in our hearts and in this article; I will try to put into words why we hold him so dear.

Like many I feared we would never see Ole play a competitive match again. His 3-year injury hell. But despite every setback we still sang his name, we pleaded almost in vain with the footballing fates;  "Please do not take my Solskjaer away" and it looked like he would never return.

Ole represents us, the fans. When he plays it matters, the joy of success, the bitterness of defeat, it’s in his face at the end of the game. There are no celebrity endorsements or fashion statements, just old fashion integrity with the fans. An integrity that many modern players and their agents have forgotten is what binds teams to their fans. Ashley Cole, etc take note.

Ole at the start of that Treble year could have gone to Spurs in a £5 million transfer deal. Spurs could guarantee him first team football. Despite United accepting Tottenham’s offer Ole turned them down. He wanted to stay and fight for his place. He was prepared to play for the team, not like a lot of players who only truly play for themselves. He was prepared to sit on the bench and await his chance. He never moaned if he wasn't picked, he never threw his shirt on the floor. He took the managers decisions with good grace and always came back more determined to succeed the next time.

He scored on his return from injury against Charlton. You could see how much that moment meant to him and the United fans at the Valley. Then during the Celtic game, I was sure I could hear the echo of Tyldesley saying “and Solskjaer has won it”. The legend has returned, it may only be for one more season, but I glad to see that the fates did not take our Solskjaer away.

You are my Solskjaer,
My Ole Solskjaer,
You make me happy,
When skies are grey,
And Alan Shearer, Was f*cking dearer,
So Please don't take, My Solskjaer, Away.....