Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.

News

 
 
Perfect send-off for Solskjaer

Perfect send-off for Solskjaer

03/08/2008 7:40 AM

Manchester United made sure it gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a memorable send-off in the Norwegian forward's testimonial match against Espanyol.

In a game to mark the farewell to one of United's modern legends, it was a youngster from Solskjaer's reserve team who put the icing on the cake with a well-taken goal 10 minutes from time.

But that was perhaps one of the least important aspects of the day, as the Old Trafford crowd cheered every touch the forward made in his 23-minute cameo.

It was a shame Espanyol goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez had not read the day's script, twice denying Solskjaer one last goal in a United shirt.

In the end it did not matter, as Fraizer Campbell made sure United got the win they deserved.

Despite it being the first trip to Old Trafford for the entire Espanyol squad, the visitors from Barcelona looked calm on the ball in the opening exchanges.

In fact it was they who forced the first of the early half chances, Liverpool target Albert Riera causing some excitement from a couple of early corners while new left-back Gregory Beranger personified Espanyol's confidence with a speculative long-range effort 10 minutes in.

But from then on United found its rhythm and should really have gone ahead during a 25-minute spell of heavy pressure.

Nani was first to go for goal after winning a free-kick on the edge of the area.

Then two minutes later the visitors were caught napping as Marc Torrejon gave the ball carelessly to Carlos Tevez, who in turn released Ryan Giggs down the left.

The Welshman squared the ball to Paul Scholes whose looping shot beat Alvarez but bounced back off the post.

Giggs tried again from the follow-up but could only shoot wide.

United was now well on top and minutes later Evra and Nani combined well on the left to allow the Portugal international to send a low ball across the box.

Daniel Jarque cut it out but sent the ball to the feet of Darren Fletcher who fired over.

Espanyol was finding it hard to cope with United's passing and the darting runs of Tevez and Nani, and were let off twice from shots from the Argentinian forward and Scholes before half-time.

With four changes apiece at the break the second half was decidedly more low key, the emergence of Solskjaer to warm up on the touchline after the hour mark drawing the biggest cheer from the crowd.

Then with 23 minutes remaining the Norwegian's big moment came. Tevez made way and the Old Trafford crowd gave its hero a rapturous welcome, and proceeded to greet his every touch as if it were a goal.

And after Espanyol briefly tried to spoil his party with Luis Garcia, Oscar Sielva and Julian Lopez all going close, Solskjaer stole the show.

First, a free-kick which he had sent into wall was crossed back into Giggs, who flicked the ball on to Solskjaer. Perhaps due to the occasion the Espanyol defence seemed to back away as he curled in a shot, but Alvarez was not feeling as charitable, making the save of the game to palm the shot away.

Minutes later and Solskjaer created the space he needed all by himself, cutting the ball back to send in a shot Alvarez took at the second attempt.

Still, the Argentinian was powerless to stop United getting its long-awaited goal with 10 minutes remaining.

Giggs

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images
Page12»

Latest Headlines

 
 
Reds claim top spot
Reds claim top spot
Football
02/12/2008 9:02 AM
Liverpool again wasted a chance to take a commanding lead at the top of the English ...
 
 
FA rules out Scolari action
Football
02/12/2008 7:38 AM
 
Man City needs to think big
Football
02/12/2008 6:39 AM
 
Boogaard outed for two
Football
01/12/2008 8:08 PM
 
Bleiberg's Brazilian mission
Football
01/12/2008 6:21 PM
 
Wellington signs young Muscat
Football
01/12/2008 5:16 PM
 
Coyne still eyeing top four
Football
01/12/2008 2:26 PM
 
Rennes up to second
Football
01/12/2008 12:50 PM
 
Jets: Bad timing
Football
01/12/2008 12:31 PM
 
Reds rue lost points
Football
01/12/2008 11:35 AM
 
 
 

Your Say

 
 

Our Say

 
 
How the mighty have fallen
How the mighty have fallen
Paul Gough
As the third-round draw for the FA Cup is released, spare a thought for how fans of tiny ...more
Gunners on thin ice
Gunners on thin ice
Paul Gough
Is the stranglehold of the 'big four' in the English Premier League about to be broken?more