 |
|
 |
|
Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted at a new contract for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his successful return from a long-term knee injury.
Since his making his first team comeback at Birmingham at the end of December as a late second half substitute, the Norwegian, who turns 33 in February, has not missed one training session and started his first match (as captain) at Old Trafford in the 5-0 thumping of Burton Albion last Wednesday.
Sir Alex is delighted with Solskjaer’s progress and revealed that he has spoken to chief executive David Gill about the possibility of a new deal for the striker whose current contract expires in the summer.
"He’s a fit lad who looks after himself and that will give him a chance," declared the United boss.
"I’ve spoken to David Gill about things and if Ole comes through everything and the injury has gone, then we’ll certainly be talking to him.
"We never expected him to come back as well as he has done. He’s not missed a single training session since he came back which has been great news for us.
"The more games he can get the better because I’m sure that will help him improve," added Fergie. "It doesn’t matter what age you are, a year and a half is a long time to be out.
"Nevertheless, I don’t think you ever lose your class. There were two brief moments against Burton last week when you saw Ole’s class in terms of his fantastic movement, positional play and vision.
|
"What we want now is to get to a position where we see the improvement in his game and see that he is getting back to something like he used to be."
Fergie also took time to salute Solskjaer’s mental strength which was one of the major aspects behind his successful return to action.
"He never doubted himself, he always knew he’d come back," explained the manager. "It’s taken a lot of determination from the lad to that but that’s the measure of the man, he’s an outstanding man."
During his last two appearances (both against Burton in the FA Cup), Solskjaer has lined up on the right side of midfield, a position in which he excelled before he picked up his injury.
"When I see his ability to play wide right, I often think why didn’t I try him there when he was younger," muses Fergie. "But of course he’s such a incredible goalscorer so the temptation was never there for us.
"A lot of the time he came off the bench and proved himself to be probably the best sub of all time.
"He has played a lot of football for us and he will go down as one of this club’s great players."
Report by Gemma Thompson, at Carrington.
http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=296909&itype=466&icategoryid=120
Above quoted from the official website of Manchester United
Ole is one of my favourite players in Manchester United, not only for it is him that scored the winning goal in our Champions League final against Byren Bayern München in the injury time in 1999, but also because he is such a loyal player that no matter how long he should sat on the bench, he always keep preparing to go on the pitch.
I used to dare that he may never play for united any more because of his serious knee injury, and he may left united or even retire after this summer as his contract is going to expire on June. But luckly he’s came back finally, with his forever passion to run foward.
Come on Ole~ the No.20 of Manchester United ——20Legend