Feb 3 2009, 07:58 PM
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was voted fifth greatest icon of the Inside United era (1992 -2009) by the magazine's editorial staff. Who better to sing the Norwegian's praises than the other man who put the ball in the Germans' net in '99, Teddy Sheringham...
When I first met Ole I remember thinking the 'Baby-faced assassin' nickname was perfect. He didn’t look old enough to be a professional footballer! But there he was, banging in the goals for United. You didn’t expect such talent from such a young looking lad.
When it comes to talent, Ole was definitely one of the best all-round finishers I’ve ever played with. That’s no mean feat either: I’m including strikers like Jurgen Klinsmann and Alan Shearer in that equation. Certainly, in terms of shooting with both feet, ability in the air and putting the ball exactly where he wanted it to go, Ole was up there with the very, very best.
I can’t stress enough just how good Ole’s finishing was - it was a joy to watch in training. He was real perfectionist, too, and spent hours practising. Even when he scored he wouldn’t celebrate a goal with quite as much passion if the ball hadn’t gone exactly where he’d planned. Most strikers don’t care how the ball goes in, but if Ole scuffed one instead of hitting it perfectly, he’d be slightly disappointed.
He also had a knack for shooting through defenders’ legs, which not a lot of football fans had seen before Ole came along. It was incredible and a deliberate tactic on his part. He’d change the angle of the ball just enough until he’d manoeuvred the defender into the position he required, and then he’d fire the ball through their legs. I’d sometimes make the odd pass through a defender’s legs, but I never quite mastered the art of shooting like that. It was really clever and Ole had it down to a fine art.
Of course, Ole scored one of the most important goals in the club’s history and he’ll always be remembered for that moment in the Nou Camp. But his legend status at Old Trafford is built on more than one match. He scored so many goals and was so unselfish in the way he approached the game. He’s also a fantastic man - a true gentleman - and I think United fans recognise that. You don’t even have to have met Ole to realise what a nice guy he is.
Yet he’ll be remembered most fondly for what he did on the pitch and the way he always seemed to dig United out of trouble. If the ball dropped to anybody for half a chance to wards the end of a game then you wanted that person to be Ole because you knew he’d at least hit the target. More often than not, he’d find the back of the net, too.
When I first met Ole I remember thinking the 'Baby-faced assassin' nickname was perfect. He didn’t look old enough to be a professional footballer! But there he was, banging in the goals for United. You didn’t expect such talent from such a young looking lad.
When it comes to talent, Ole was definitely one of the best all-round finishers I’ve ever played with. That’s no mean feat either: I’m including strikers like Jurgen Klinsmann and Alan Shearer in that equation. Certainly, in terms of shooting with both feet, ability in the air and putting the ball exactly where he wanted it to go, Ole was up there with the very, very best.
I can’t stress enough just how good Ole’s finishing was - it was a joy to watch in training. He was real perfectionist, too, and spent hours practising. Even when he scored he wouldn’t celebrate a goal with quite as much passion if the ball hadn’t gone exactly where he’d planned. Most strikers don’t care how the ball goes in, but if Ole scuffed one instead of hitting it perfectly, he’d be slightly disappointed.
He also had a knack for shooting through defenders’ legs, which not a lot of football fans had seen before Ole came along. It was incredible and a deliberate tactic on his part. He’d change the angle of the ball just enough until he’d manoeuvred the defender into the position he required, and then he’d fire the ball through their legs. I’d sometimes make the odd pass through a defender’s legs, but I never quite mastered the art of shooting like that. It was really clever and Ole had it down to a fine art.
Of course, Ole scored one of the most important goals in the club’s history and he’ll always be remembered for that moment in the Nou Camp. But his legend status at Old Trafford is built on more than one match. He scored so many goals and was so unselfish in the way he approached the game. He’s also a fantastic man - a true gentleman - and I think United fans recognise that. You don’t even have to have met Ole to realise what a nice guy he is.
Yet he’ll be remembered most fondly for what he did on the pitch and the way he always seemed to dig United out of trouble. If the ball dropped to anybody for half a chance to wards the end of a game then you wanted that person to be Ole because you knew he’d at least hit the target. More often than not, he’d find the back of the net, too.
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=...&newsid=6626362
Icons: Ryan Giggs
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Inside United's icons countdown continues. In fourth place is Ryan Giggs; and Sir Bobby Charlton takes us from the first time he saw Giggsy in action to the day the Welshman equalled his appearance record...
What a player! I first saw Ryan when he was 15 when Alex Ferguson had asked me to come and watch some trials during the school holidays. When I arrived there were about 10 matches going on, and as I was making my way over to see the boss, I noticed this skinny kid zipping past defenders. He went right through the team and had a fantastic shot on goal. I thought: ‘Wow, that was sensational!’
When I reached Alex I asked him who the little lad was and he said: ‘That’s Ryan Wilson: he signed for us this morning.’ You could tell, even then, that there was something magical about the way he played the game.
Ever since that day Ryan’s been a fantastic ambassador for this club. We’ve never had an ounce of trouble from him. He’s brilliant to work with and you won’t hear anyone with a bad word about him. More importantly, he’s a fantastic footballer. In fact, he’s one of the most gifted footballers to ever play at Old Trafford.
In his prime, his pace was sensational – the only way defenders could stop him was to bring him down. These days he’s not quite so quick, but his awareness and footballing brain is second to none. He’s also good in the air, something not everyone realises.
He’s been terrific over the years – an absolute gem – and it’s no wonder United fans love him. The way he’s playing at the moment, we could easily see him for a few more years. The manager has been very smart in the way he’s used him this season, he knows exactly how and when to rest him. But when he’s on that pitch, he never lets you down.
Like most fans, my favourite Giggs memory is the goal he scored against Arsenal in the FA Cup in 1999. He went on this mazy run and people kept coming, but he kept evading them. Then, of course, he thumped the ball into the roof of the net. I jumped out of my seat, and I remember some fans went on the pitch. I don’t blame them: I’d have done the same if I’d have been in the stands! It was a cracking end to a wonderful football match.
As everyone knows, Ryan broke my club appearance record at the end of last season. To be honest, it didn’t bother me one bit. I never counted every game I played, I just know I played here for a long time and loved every minute. I think that’s why Ryan has played so many games here – he loves being at this club. It’s a great place to play… once you’ve been here you don’t want to play anywhere else.
What a player! I first saw Ryan when he was 15 when Alex Ferguson had asked me to come and watch some trials during the school holidays. When I arrived there were about 10 matches going on, and as I was making my way over to see the boss, I noticed this skinny kid zipping past defenders. He went right through the team and had a fantastic shot on goal. I thought: ‘Wow, that was sensational!’
When I reached Alex I asked him who the little lad was and he said: ‘That’s Ryan Wilson: he signed for us this morning.’ You could tell, even then, that there was something magical about the way he played the game.
Ever since that day Ryan’s been a fantastic ambassador for this club. We’ve never had an ounce of trouble from him. He’s brilliant to work with and you won’t hear anyone with a bad word about him. More importantly, he’s a fantastic footballer. In fact, he’s one of the most gifted footballers to ever play at Old Trafford.
In his prime, his pace was sensational – the only way defenders could stop him was to bring him down. These days he’s not quite so quick, but his awareness and footballing brain is second to none. He’s also good in the air, something not everyone realises.
He’s been terrific over the years – an absolute gem – and it’s no wonder United fans love him. The way he’s playing at the moment, we could easily see him for a few more years. The manager has been very smart in the way he’s used him this season, he knows exactly how and when to rest him. But when he’s on that pitch, he never lets you down.
Like most fans, my favourite Giggs memory is the goal he scored against Arsenal in the FA Cup in 1999. He went on this mazy run and people kept coming, but he kept evading them. Then, of course, he thumped the ball into the roof of the net. I jumped out of my seat, and I remember some fans went on the pitch. I don’t blame them: I’d have done the same if I’d have been in the stands! It was a cracking end to a wonderful football match.
As everyone knows, Ryan broke my club appearance record at the end of last season. To be honest, it didn’t bother me one bit. I never counted every game I played, I just know I played here for a long time and loved every minute. I think that’s why Ryan has played so many games here – he loves being at this club. It’s a great place to play… once you’ve been here you don’t want to play anywhere else.
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=...=6626390&page=1
Park praises squad
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Ji-sung Park says United’s strength in depth has been the key to the side’s record-breaking run of clean sheets.
The Reds have now gone 12 games without conceding a goal in the league, a feat made all the more impressive when you consider the injuries that have plagued Sir Alex’s regular back four.
“We’ve had a few injuries in the defence so it’s a great achievement,” Park told ManUtd.kr.
“Everybody played their part and the young players who were called on [Rafael, Richard Eckersley] showed great ability on the pitch.
“We started the season with a strong squad and that’s how we’ve been able to set this record. When someone is injured we have another player who can fill the gaps.”
Park also reserved special praise for goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who now holds the English league record for most minutes without conceding.
“Playing for one of the greatest teams in the world at his age [38] is really difficult. He’s a great player, one of the best on the pitch. It’s a great record for him to have. He deserves it.”
The Reds have now gone 12 games without conceding a goal in the league, a feat made all the more impressive when you consider the injuries that have plagued Sir Alex’s regular back four.
“We’ve had a few injuries in the defence so it’s a great achievement,” Park told ManUtd.kr.
“Everybody played their part and the young players who were called on [Rafael, Richard Eckersley] showed great ability on the pitch.
“We started the season with a strong squad and that’s how we’ve been able to set this record. When someone is injured we have another player who can fill the gaps.”
Park also reserved special praise for goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who now holds the English league record for most minutes without conceding.
“Playing for one of the greatest teams in the world at his age [38] is really difficult. He’s a great player, one of the best on the pitch. It’s a great record for him to have. He deserves it.”
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Should have return to us and fight with Welbeck.
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