SOLSKJAER THAT

Hero of night in 99 claim United fans’ hearts

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has a burning ambition he inherited from his old Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

To put a smile back on the faces of the fed-up supporters.

The loyal followers had an increasingly miserable 31 months under sullen-faced Jose Mourinho – even though he led United to a League Cup and Europa League double.

They weren’t happy with the brand of boring football produced by the Portuguese man of decreasing awe and a growing number of empty seats in the Theatre Of Not So Many Dreams told their own story of the supporters’ dismay.

But now the Baby-Faced Assassin is in charge until the end of the season.

And boy is Solskjaer a man on a mission to bring back the good old days he enjoyed under Fergie with that historic late 1999 Champions League Final winner against Bayern Munich the ultimate moment in his 11 seasons. Solskjaer, 45, said: “This is a dream. It’s a big job but a dream job. I never thought it was going to happen. I’m just going to enjoy these five months and do the best I can.

“It’s about getting the fans smiling. I remember Sir Alex telling us many times that we are playing for the supporters.

“That’s the privilege of being a United player. You are playing in front of the best fans in the world because they are so positive.”

Returning to his old stomping ground at United’s Carrington HQ brought back vivid memories for Solskjaer and he immediately felt at home again at “the best club in the world”.

He added: “That feeling when I come into the training ground and just see everyone smile and be happy, give them a big hug, because we are the best club in the world with the best people in the world.

“I know all the physios. I know some of the coaches from before. The cleaning staff. The chef. It feels like home and that is everything about the club.

“When I see the people it feels like coming home. You feel like you have never been away. “That is the feeling this place has for me.

“But it’s about getting results again. And I make all the decisions now.

“When you were a player you just gave your best and did what the gaffer asked you to do.

“Now, I have to make the decisions. I have to leave players out. But if you are a coach or a chef or a cleaning lady you just want the team to play