Q & A With Solskjaer

Ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's testimonial clash against Espanyol on Saturday 2 August, we caught up with the Reds legend to talk past, present and future...

You've enjoyed a long and eventful journey in the 12 years that have passed since your scoring debut against Blackburn. Why do you think you adjusted to life at OT so well?
My personality on the pitch was that I liked to get goalscoring opportunities and I was patient enough to let the chances come. I’d say as a player I was low in confidence between the two 18-yard lines, but inside the 18-yard box I was never low in confidence. I always thought, ‘next chance I’ll score’. If I missed a chance I thought, ‘OK, the next one I’ll score’. When you have that approach you don’t let the pressure of playing get to you because you’re focused on what you’ve got to do.

Aside from the manager, who has had the biggest influence on your career?
I hope to say myself. That’s the signal I want to send to everyone. It’s what is inside you that drives you on. My ambition, my determination, my self-management and patience made my career, but with loads of help along the way. At Molde, Age Hareide was very important. The Under-21 coach for Norway, Nils Johan Semb, picked me in his U21 squad and I was the only one from the third tier in Norway. That meant a lot and gave me a little push to become a player. Then there’s Egil Olsen. He gave me my chance in the Norway first team, which led to my chance to play here because Jimmy Ryan (now working with United’s Academy) was at the match to see Ronny Johnsen and I scored two goals. I say to kids I coach now, it has to come from within yourself, but you must listen to those with more experience than you. That was one of my strengths. I was humble and listened to all of the advice from older team mates, ex players and coaches, and took everything in.

You worked with the first team last season - what was it like to watch in Moscow?
I wasn’t in Moscow, I watched the game from home because my missus was very pregnant! Watching it was so nerve-wracking, it’s so much worse watching on telly or being in the crowd than playing. When you’re playing you don’t think about these things, you don’t get nervous, you just focus on playing. I don’t bite my nails but I would have had none left if I did! I went through so many different emotions and I was very, very happy for everyone at the end.

What are your hopes for your first season as Reserve team coach?
I’ll benefit from being a coach here because you develop all the time and this is something I needed. As a coach you need to be in charge of something and be responsible, of course, but I’m here to help these lads be ready to play first team football. I know that they’re just as ambitious for themselves as I am for them.

People always see you smiling, but are you going to be strict with the players too?
Absolutely. I’ve played Championship Manager my whole life and have sold many players! [laughs]. Being tough is not a problem. The players know what I expect of them and as long as they do that, they won’t have a problem. But as soon as someone drops off… It’s not me they’re letting down, it’s themselves and I’ll need to let them know. So that’s not going to be a problem, believe me.

Funds from your testimonial will go to building 10 new schools in Africa… Why have you chosen this project?
For me this project is about hopefully being remembered for something other than football. I’m going to put up schools in Mozambique, Malawi and Angola. It’s something for me to give back because football has given me so much. To do that would mean that my career has made a difference to so many other lives.