How Good Was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a Player?

Not only is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a Manchester United Legend, but he is also currently at the wheel.
Taking both of those facts into consideration, I thought it would be fun and completely necessary to take a deep dive into the life and career of this legend. So How Good was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a Player?
Transcript and Sources: footballiconic.com/how-good-w...
Twitter: / theofficial_fi
Background music by the incredibly talented Lakey Inspired: / in-my-dreams
Producer: Tinashe Chipako
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This video is intended for entertainment, commentary and educational purposes.
*Copyright Disclaimer: allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS

[@FootballIconic]

Bro, you misspelled "Career". Literally unwatchable 😑

[@hassana___]

This is amazing

[@josiahokello5506]

Do Rooney

[@gofot9]

The very next segment about Andy Cole, the news article misspelt Andy's last name "Colf"

[@hassana___]

@@gofot9 ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[@linuxjodi4311]

@@josiahokello5506 he's done it..❤️

[@oslogutt80]

One important point you missed out is his stats on scored goals per minutes, that shows he was incredible efficient!!

[@NandiCollector]

Very true! #ggmu

[@FootballIconic]

Very good point. His efficiency was insane!

[@EHPSP]

153 minute per goal. 19th in prem history. As of 2 years ago.

[@EvolutionWar]

Also assists and all the goals he actually set up for his team being the third or fourth person on the ball before giving it to one of his teammates, aka creating the goal scoring oportunity. Along with his defensive ability, workrate for his team on the pitch, one of the best. Especially his ability to create goal chances for his team was exceptional and mostly forgotten.

[@k2ashley]

Also he played as a right winger for a while so that would knock his goals to minutes ratio down.

[@garypowell1540]

I don't know if Ole was the best bench player of all time, but it was definitely the best one Manchester United ever had. Indeed to my knowledge, Ole invented the concept of a bench player being capable of winning Championships and Cups. Back in the day if a player was not a regular 1st team starter most fans hardly knew his name.

[@summonerbraddysg51]

Dude scored 4 goals in 10 minutes, which later broke down by Lewandowski. That says how efficient he is off the bench

[@darren806]

Could argue Grealish is playing a similar role at the Euros now

[@callumalston5755]

The fact he played so often in his first season and then was willing to sacrifice to play off the bench when I’m sure clubs all over Europe would’ve wanted him to be a starter shows his character

[@petrokemikal]

Don't forget about little pea.. He had a great habit of coming off the bench in the dying embers of a game and getting the job done..

[@vebjrnstoras8541]

I played against him when he was a young player (18-19-20 yrs old). He was lively, enthusiastic, good shot from all angles. Played for his club Clausenenga i Kristiansund before going professional. Allways scoring a lot of goals in third-level football in norway. Was also a leader in young age. Around the age of 21 going to Molde he surprised people how he took the level straight away and became a hit from the start at top level with Molde FK.

[@onyxghost1137]

Bro cap

[@gonzalobecerra4973]

No

[@jeffblack5024]

I remember that back in the Treble season, I was working for an ad agency in Manchester that had United as one of its clients. I'd be called upon to promote the museum, executive boxes and retail side of the business. The United fans had a song then that went "You are my Solksjaer, my Ole Solksjaer/ You make me happy, when skies are grey/ Cause Alan Shearer was fucking dearer/ Please don't take my Solksjaer away". I was asked to record a radio ad in a studio in Stockport that featured this song, but the third line was changed by United to "Cause when it's pouring, he still keeps scoring". I'm still ashamed of my involvement in that to this day. But anyway, "And Solksjaer has done it" is still the absolute peak. Unless the grey-haired assassin has other ideas.

[@FootballIconic]

Can definitely see why they removed that bit for the radio 😂

[@wraldan]

Just out of curiosity, how did the manchester united fans take it at the time, that they changed the lyrics ?

[@jeffblack5024]

Well, it was only a radio commercial, but the ones I knew were suitably disdainful.

[@mullaoslo]

Wait.. That's wasn't that sing up for the champions? It was released as a single and went to the top of the charts in norway.. It had the altered line in it so I was always confused when I heard the Alan shearer version 😂

[@Nick-bd6jj]

There are persistent rumours that he can go ballistic just like The former Boss, while in public he is the quintessential nice guy, yet under the surface his steely resolve and uncompromising determination make him an immortal in Manchester United lore... And a damn better manager than he gets credit for!

[@mullaoslo]

Norwegians generally come of as too nice to the rest of the world but we definetly can be serious when needed.. And you do not want to be the person who stretches that limit to far

[@alvinanis3006]

I mean have you seen that clip where he literally told Lingard to 'fuck off'? He definitely can be mad, just doesn't show it often as a way to protect his image and players.

[@corriedebeer799]

I think he is nice in public, but he is learning to be hard when needed. The Scandinavians / Nordic people just don't like letting there dirty-laundry go public. That is just there style. I would like to know what got said in private when Pogba's twat of an agent did his spiel. I think there was some hard words said in private about the matter.

[@corriedebeer799]

@@alvinanis3006 Having a calm and collected manager seems like a good thing to me. Being quick to anger and constantly loosing your temper does not instill confidence in your abilities as coach/manager.

[@leejones3061]

All managers need a bit of Neil Warnock sir Alex hair dryer olly doesn't get the credit he deserves at times

[@mortimersmithsr2522]

Scoring a goal on average every 153 minutes were 0 of them were on penalties. These are insane stats. He also played other positions in a lot of the games.

[@suyashtyagi4044]

Played as a rw in place of beckham as well, and excelled

[@PlowKingzter]

The fact that he is basically two-footed should have been mentioned

[@Carrrnage]

The ultimate impact sub! The scorer of the most important goal in Utd history in that '99 CL final. Also winner of the "Best Worst Tackle Ever" for that tackle on Rob Lee. LEGEND!!!

[@JSS_Network]

He should have flying kicked him 😂😂

[@trulsgudvarpaulsen2379]

@@JSS_Networkfunny comment :-)

[@silentfeekz2163]

@@JSS_Network if King Eric ill surely consider it legit 😂😂

[@myrkvarg]

Ole is a legend. As a player 9/10, as a Striker 8/10 and as a Manager I hope we will end up rating him the same as Sir Alex. He is a good lad.

[@mortimersmithsr2522]

Yeah. I would say 7/10 player. 10/10 striker

[@myrkvarg]

@@mortimersmithsr2522 10/10 personality also.

[@mortimersmithsr2522]

​@@myrkvarg 100%!

[@myrkvarg]

@@mortimersmithsr2522 Impossible not to love that man.

[@TheRealVranesh]

I don’t think we will rate anyone as high as SAF. But, I do hope he stays for the long run with a lot of success.

[@johngarynavida]

To be effective off the bench you need to read the game as it unfolds. Ole was so good at that as a player and the current United strikers especially the younger ones can learn a thing or two from his positioning in the 6 yard box. The abuse he gets from the so-called supporters is too much imo. Sure he makes mistakes but it does not warrant that level of disrespect.

[@Ben-he3uq]

Ole gets no stick at games at all. I hope it works out for Ole as manager, but his name will be sung and celebrated at OT in decades to come, no matter what. Any reds giving him stick in public aren't showing him the respect a true legend deserves 👍

[@thomascharnock]

Your channel is basically playing out my childhood as a Man United fan living about 10 minutes away from Old Trafford. Take my subscription XD

[@tonymverah8059]

I've been a UNITED faithful since I first watched them play in 1997. I loved Ole back then.., I loved him through his career and I definitely love him now as manager. I don't care how long it takes to bring trophies back but our United DNA is back... Fully behind him and I believe he will make us proud sooner than later. It's always in every United faithful...JUST BELIEVE!

[@Ben-he3uq]

I'm sick of his position being questioned any time we lose. 4 months on, I hope you still feel the same way. He gets as long as he needs in my book, a total legend no matter what happens and deserving of a good shot at it. It feels like watching United again, and that was a distant memory before he took over.

[@ryiin]

He's an absolute legend. He was a nightmare for defenders.

[@jonsouth1545]

What made him so good as a substitute was the way he would watch the way the game was being played and analyse what the defence was doing and spot weaknesses before ruthlessly exploiting them.

[@inmatal]

This is actually a very good point. Happy to read it. Few players in sports, or eSports have the capability to learn the patterns of a floating game, catch on, and exploit them. By proving able to do so Ole Gunnar Solskjær stands out as an highly intelligent guy.

[@SparkShredder]

Thats a good point and maybe thats something he uses as a manager now.

[@ryanwilliamske]

Maybe this is why MUFC is way better during the second half

[@choughed3072]

I can still remember to this day sitting in my bedroom as an 11 year old watching the champions league final. I've never felt pure joy watching football before or since all thanks to the legend that is the baby faced assassin.

[@nimesh3990]

I died when u said the ole tackle was a unfair red card lmao😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@paulwraith1892]

The production value on these is brilliant

[@Jackcroasdale92]

Well how else do you make money honestly on KZbin other than making memes or underground house.

[@toebee9089]

@@Jackcroasdale92 You have gaming, also vlogs, but not as popular now

[@zeusrayx2024]

Can you do one on Denis Irwin? (For Roy Keane's sake)👀

[@nel9357]

Irwin was class

[@curleex3838]

Keane was the backbone of Utd, he ran the show on the pitch!

[@nel9357]

@@curleex3838 Keano ! Keano ! Keano !⚽👍👏

[@irwinice4336]

They don't make them like Irwin anymore the coolest player of all time Solskjaer was an assassin, Irwin was an effeciant machine

[@curleex3838]

@@irwinice4336 And Kean was the driving force behind them all. He was the most important link in the chain next to Fergie!!

[@darrenhornsby2189]

thanks for the memories FI in my humble opinion the graetest sub of all time and might i add the best manager we have had since sir alex. keep up the good work mate thanks again

[@7razman]

He absolutely deserves his 20LEGENEND status. He was a player who played his part in the team to the Fullest, and like you said, always had a smile on his face. He'll always have a place in my heart ❤

[@FREE_WILL_DEFENDER]

When a commentator just says "nothing new he scores again " thats all you need to know.

[@sideshowbob5237]

Or in one case I remember, "Well he has been on the field a whole two minutes".

[@maravillabxr]

In Ole we trust🙌🏽

[@FootballIconic]

Beep beep 🚐

[@samiul8031]

F

[@MrGlennJohnsen]

Extreme game intelligence that allowed him to read the game (often from the bench) which made him a very good positional player, always ending up in positions where the ball would mysteriously land at his feet. Very, very good finisher with both legs and superb technique allowed him to get quick shots on target before defenders and the GK could react. Loyal to the team, manager and fans. In todays sport maybe underrated, but Ole knew that every minute he got he had to be the best he could be and if he did that he was just as important as the players that regularly got full games. The injuries to Solskjaer is perhaps the main reason why he didn't end up playing more than he did, but he did everything that was asked of him as a club icon and legend.

[@jose.luis.ayala.]

Those were happier times at Man U. If Ole had some players with his skill, dedication & mentality, he'd STILL be in charge.

[@gooseboy2.040]

Drogba instead of pogba 😕

[@someenchilada]

Youd feel a goal was coming whenever he came on. Very few players can genuinely claim to be able to do that

[@irwinice4336]

These are true things, we hope Man Utd score these days Solskjaer was a guaranteed goal from the bench

[@hansschjlberg172]

He would sit on the bench together with SAF and view the game and evaluate it and then he told Sir Alex how he could change it, and in most games he actually did so when Sir Alex let him on the pitch. That's also why he have become such a good manager

[@abantwanabekasi5592]

Great narrative skills, well put together video, really enjoyed it. Solskjaer deserves his place in our great history, we will forever be grateful for his tangible massive impact as a player, wish him all the best in his managerial career, hope he takes us back to our perch, which I strongly believe he will. Come on United!!!

[@jammybizzle666]

Ole is a legend, not for padded stats but for the difference he made. Whenever he was on the pitch he was dangerous and in big games he always turned up. He loved united as a player, as a youth coach, as a manager elsewhere and as the manager. The reason united fans love him is because he would give everything as a player and delivered so many brilliant moments, like the 98/99 fa cup and champions league goals as well as all the games he helped us win in the prem that season. It's so good to have him back, I can't wait to see him lift another trophy for united.

[@marcusjackson9076]

Great video again. His positional awareness was incredible.

[@uthkrisht]

I just love these videos man, so elaborate, and especially love when you include statistics

[@TheRoyston8791]

Ole was 1 of a kind of a player & not just for his knack for coming off the bench and scoring goals, but also for the way he conducted himself with Man Utd. Not once did you ever complain about been sat on the bench as a sub and he knew it was more about the squad rather than individuals. He turned Spurs down knowing he would have been a first-team regular had he gone there and I always remember watching the 99 CL final and him getting interviewed after the game saying "People always asked me why didn't I go to another team and play more regular. This is the reason I didn't go anywhere". A true professional and there never has and never will be a player like him. Never underrated nor underappreciated by any true football fan. Great video. 94 Ajax team video would be nice sometime, please.

[@neilrobinson7615]

The treble winning goal still sends shivers down my spine. Incredible moment.

[@NandiCollector]

This was the most perfect career summary of Ole that I've watched! Thanks mate. 😁 #ggmu

[@ZavierMoore]

The quality on these videos are amazing keep up the good work!

[@sas2300]

Didn't always score but nearly always hit the target. His efficiency in front of goal was great. He'll always be a legend for that champions league final.

[@daveroebuck7771]

Great content! Looking forward to more.

[@ahmadsyauqimohdshukri8420]

Watched all your videos bro. Nice to see the all the players i used to love watching growing up. Keep up the good work.

[@drewwootten6770]

He was a match winner plain and simple.

[@TahirAli-lm5vw]

Great video! Keep the brilliant content coming!

[@dsg1992]

So glad to have found this channel. Fantastic video for anyone who missed Solksjaer's playing career to know what their current manager is all about. The red card tackle against Newcastle when the title was on the line(7:15) was an underrated highlight.

[@benthompson2205]

Great video dude. I loved it when the super sub came out during extra time and within seconds boom!! the winning goal. What a legend. A pleasure to watch.

[@JT-mn5uu]

Ole is the best since Sir Alex. Great personality. Loves ManU, the club means everything to him!

[@blinkwow1]

My childhood hero. I was always very proud to have the same name as him. I lived 50 meters from a very beautiful fotball field in Norway called greibanen. I think in 1999 or something the Norwegian football team had a practise there. So many people stormed him for an autograph and i was to little to get close. But there was one moment I'll never forget when he saw me walking towards the buss. He walked out of it cause he saw me standing alone with my ball wating for him, but the entire buss of the Norwegian team started shouting at him so he turned :D

[@coreymcmahon5144]

I don't usually last through the entirety of videos like this, so you have earned my sub. Very good video.

[@FootballIconic]

Thanks man! Appreciate that a ton!

[@ozywozyroby]

Wow, that was extremely well put together, well done! I expected you to have at least 100k subs, bc of the quality. You have a great voice for this too. Subbed, looking forward to further videos!

[@FootballIconic]

Cheers!!!

[@digvijaypatil2682]

Also forgot to mention that this was very very well written, documented & presented. Awesome work. Keep up this amazing work. I am your new fan & subscriber ❤🤗

[@m1atomz246]

Just found this channel, keep it up♾💪🏽

[@moderateselfcontrol]

great vid, very informative, thanks!!!

[@kariaudar]

Really like your videos. Love the humour! Keep´em coming I say! :)

[@sebastianohr2270]

Ole's a good neighbour. Meeting him at the store is nice.

[@gooseboy2.040]

lol

[@rgb9795]

there was no online shop back then... the first man united jersey i got has SOLSKJAER 20 in it my favorite Forward ever!

[@samarthsareen7697]

Finally!! Thank you for making it

[@FootballIconic]

Been a long time coming! Haha, hopefully did the man justice!

[@DayDay1991]

Great finisher great video again

[@coachcartier901]

God blessed you with a soothing voice my G, these videos have an asmr feel to em

[@vladmitrache6373]

I wasn't going to subscribe but your short chat with Ole convinced me.

[@thepritamnanda]

One of the best super-subs ever ❤ 🙌🏽

[@dsg1992]

9:28 Love the editing and the little jokes on this channel! "Mountains are there to be climbed aren't they" -Ole Gunnar Solksjaer

[@stainlesschiruka1837]

Your narration is incredible , full of humor too .

[@davidtheking7581]

GREAT vid! U are doing great on yt. hope u start growing very quick.:)

[@FootballIconic]

Fingers crossed! Thanks so much, really appreciate that!

[@mrjker2728]

Awesome videos...i have seen so manyof your videos. Keep going... love from india❤️

[@FootballIconic]

Thanks man, will do!

[@khal3121]

With this, u got yourself a new subscriber. Cheers!

[@joeylara3957]

Man great video. Loved it!!!

[@bookenperson]

Love your content!

[@cwocky]

Not even close to being a United fan, but definitely a fan of this guy. Off the bench, he was absolutely Incredible

[@mioszoboza2292]

Hi! Your channel is so smart, full of passion and inspiring! U've got diamond ability of putting thoughts together, sharing knowledge and showing the beauty of football from Your own, special perspective. Thanks! Total 3-4-3 storytelling! Keep it up!

[@kimbuoy1]

Hehehe....your commentary is elite level! You've got me to subscribe! Will definitely be checking out more videos!

[@mr.darkside35]

Great video! You deserve more subs! Please do a video like this for the United trinity

[@Michaelkaydee]

A true legend

[@d1want34]

great videos man, subscribed.. hopefully your channel explode soon!

[@guyfromthe80s92]

Damn that was a great video. Subbed!

[@FootballIconic]

Legend!

[@kambobefrancis]

Ole was a class act,

[@mehdimarashi1736]

With Ole on the bench, we were never hopeless. The game was not going on well enough? Ole was there to come in and win us the game.

[@O2RiDeR_]

How in the world are you not on at least a 100k subs my man. Dont worry keep working and I can guarantee you that the silver button will be yours very soon.

[@FootballIconic]

Appreciate that man! Just enjoying making these at the moment

[@dolphincz8880]

Very good video. Gained a new subscriber. Could of spoke about his potential transfers in later years but wanted to stay and his last goal for utd against Spurs I think

[@martinkim7415]

After having stumbled upon the channel this afternoon and watching 5 videos back to back, I've come to find the channel more entertaining than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with each video being an individual superhero film that all connect together to tell the story of the Premiere League. Incredible work my guy. Can't wait to see you tell the story of my personal Prem hero, Park Ji-sung. Cheers!

[@joekingham5582]

How anyone could ever dislike these videos is beyond me

[@k2ashley]

Love the guy, there’s a place for a statue for you one day Ole. Because I know you’re going to win us trophies as manager.

[@toebee9089]

Damn that was kindly said. Vet ikke om det er sant, men forhåpentligvis :D

[@AntonioAio]

@@toebee9089 It was in the norwegian papers this winter. No location decided yet as i know.

[@mj2365]

Hope this age well😁

[@AntonioAio]

@@mj2365 it Will.

[@MHF786]

@@AntonioAio I'm not a ManU fan, I'm a barça fan. But I've seen his team and it actually works like a team. Sure there'll be some shows of individual talent herr and there, but he makes the team work in coherence AND he gives chances to young players. I feel like he's hella underatted as a coach.

[@RobertJohnson-vz9vd]

Love the baby Assassin! Always Delivered with a Smile on his Face

[@annkenny936]

He may be grey haired now but still got a baby face Love him 👍🏼👍🏼🤩😘

[@harryblack460]

Amazing channel bro💀💀💀💀

[@7472wayne]

Good video. Bearing in mind he was never a superstar it’s nice to see him get some shine

[@FrancoFluence]

loved it!

[@viswanathsubramani8894]

Amazing vid

[@cathalmurphy3227]

These type of videos are the best

[@FootballIconic]

Thanks!!

[@williamfarrell4754]

Liverpool man here... this dude was deadly... i couldn't understand him being a squad player... top player

[@kjellruneskjellen635]

Actually, when he was bought to the club, the scout was scouting on their next buy, Ronny Johnsen. The scout was watching a national game, Norway against Aserbadjan or something. He was at the game to take a last look at Ronny johnsen who played in Turkey at that time. The national team of Norway had the best defenders in the world back then . Henning Berg slipped past Fergies fingers, and went to Blackburn, and was on the winning team of 95. So he got Ronny. But at that Game, Ole came in, a high ball came towards him, he took it down on his chest, turn around and shot it directly in the goal, all in the same movement. The scout chocked on his sossage, got up, called home, and since Ole was a bargain , cost like Rooneys car budget, United did a doubble deal.

[@asterayelemma3986]

I liked this video so much I hit the like button twice. JUST TO BE SURE.

[@FootballIconic]

Lol!

[@definitenyoni174]

9:06 "Beckham's cross.. in to Sherringham, and *SOLKSJAER HAS WON IT* "

[@travismorris8910]

Tears come to my eyes every time I watch that champions league final

[@irwinice4336]

I was in my bedroom almost in tears b4 those 2goals and I was thrilled my fave player scored

[@jasondalton1980]

@@irwinice4336 it was even better down the pub...all the fans of other teams, that had been taking the p!ss for 84 minutes since Bayern scored, were hollering and jumping around as much as the United fans...crazy scenes

[@irwinice4336]

@@jasondalton1980 would have sold my left family jewels to have experienced that however I was 16 at the time so only family friendly fun and I live in South Africa butt my neighbours were Liverpool fans #priceless

[@sethandrews6843]

He was world class and is becoming world class as a. Boss

[@AutosportDesign]

Love your channel you had me hooked from your Keane video and I hope to see you improve as time goes on. Ps. I know you love doing older player bios but how about doing a video series on underrated modern players like Veratti, Naiggolan, Fernandinho.

[@ciaranbuckley1321]

Underrated channel

[@blackconduit_fpv7099]

♥️OLE! UNITED FOREVER!

[@dsg1992]

1:15 What a goal. Brilliant composure.

[@omgwerockhard]

Without him we couldnt look back and brag about 1999 season xD

[@rgpeters]

I lived and loved him as a player in the 1998-1999 season so Ole my old friend ;)

[@NeilOB9]

Amazing channel

[@user-om7ct7yg9w]

You forgot to mention that he could shoot with both feets!

[@PlowKingzter]

This^^ He was really ambidextrous

[@Ben-he3uq]

From a fans perspective, other than being a scorer of glorious goals and a grafter, and thus cermenting his place as a legend forever, he was loyal to United in return and appeared greatfull to the fans for being so popular. Had chances to leave - SAF wouldn't have stood in his way if he wanted to start regularly elsewhere, but Ole recognised playing 30 games a season for United is better than playing 40 games for spurs/newcastle/Liverpool/Chelsea/(I cant add city here, they were playing Macclesfield and Stockport in the third tier at the time :D)... Anyway - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made dreams come true.

[@Sathyachakra]

Loving your videos! I knew you were the real deal when you started off with legend Roy Keane

[@theredjediknight]

One thing that stands out about Solksjaer was his reading of the game, as a often as.a substitute, he would be looking for spaces left by defenders, his pace was another underappreciated asset and his two footedness stood him out. But it's his calmness, patience and belief in his abilities that made him the striker he was and the ever improving manager at United he is developing into. Solksjaer's physical fitness also helped his goalscoring, rarely injured, able to shrug off big centre halfs. Solksjaer also played on the wing often to accommodate Ruud Van Nistelrooy, often taking David Beckham's place notably in a Champions League QF game in 2003 against Real Madrid when United flight back from 3-2 to win 4-3...

[@goncaloferreira6429]

great video