Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer: Is He Really a Man United Legend?

The baby-faced assassin. Super-sub. Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer has his fair share of monikers at Old Trafford. But can the Norwegian add "United legend" to that list?

I'm not so sure. Many people may argue with me, but I don't think Solskjaer did enough to be considered a Manchester United legend.

His recent testimonial was a tribute to his 11 years at the club, and celebrating his time at United. But does being at a club for a long time make you a legend?

No. Look at John O'Shea. No-one would consider him a United legend and he is nearing the 11 year mark. Some may argue that Solskjaer did more in his time than O'Shea, but then lets take Mikael Silvestre instead. He is also nearing the 11 year mark, and has played more games for United than Solksjaer did, yet very few would consider him near United legend status, if any.

The fact is that a player dubbed as "Super-sub" shouldn't be considered a legend, as that suggests he was better off the bench than when he started matches.

This is by no means an attack on Solskjaer, he was a good player, and a model professional, but the term "United legend" is a very exclusive club, and I just don't think Solkjkaer is good enough to get in that group.

United fans would probably bring up the 1999 Champions League final. First, if he was so good why wasn't he starting that game? And just because he stuck a toe out at the right time in the right place, does that really make him a legend?

He won the Champions League for United, but does that make Juliano Belletti a Barcelona legend? After all, he came off the bench to complete a 2-1 comeback to win his club the Champions League.

Or perhaps it was the dramatic fashion of Solksjaer's winner that makes him a United legend? Well then, surely Jerzy Dudek is a Liverpool legend?

But the main reason I don't think Solskjaer is a United legend is his ability. He was a good player, as I have already said, but look at some of the players in the United legend club. Sir Bobby Charlton. George Best. Eric Cantona. I'm sorry, but Solskjaer is nowhere near the quality of these players.

So, although he will forever be in United folklore for that night in Barcelona, he isn't a United legend in my book. Not yet anyway, but perhaps a soon to be vacant spot as United manager may give him the chance to elevate to United legend status.