I agreed to leave Man United for Tottenham – then Alex Ferguson intervened
United host Spurs on Saturday after a two-week international break, a meeting that recalls a transfer agreement which could have taken Solskjaer's career in a different direction. Solskjaer's former team-mate Michael Carrick is now tasked with getting United back on track against an ailing Tottenham.
Solskjaer, 53, was two seasons into his United career when the clubs agreed a £5.5million fee for his move to Tottenham. That figure was more than three times the £1.5m United had paid Molde to sign him in 1996 but the transfer still required his approval.
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To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.
Sir Alex Ferguson's involvement proved decisive, though, as he intervened to remind Solskjaer precisely how highly he rated him. The Norwegian subsequently played a pivotal role in the 1999 Treble the following season, finding the net in United's legendary Champions League final reversal against Bayern.
"Everything was agreed. The two clubs had signed and were just waiting for me," said Solskjaer in November 2010. "It was that close.
"The gaffer called me into his office and closed the door. He said the conversation was just going to be between the two of us. He told me I would be a big part of his squad and he didn't want me to go.
"If he had said all the best in your career, I would have gone. But he wanted me to stay and so I signed.
"Hopefully I paid back the £5.5million that had been agreed with Spurs. But it is strange now to look at that fax."
It goes without saying that Solskjaer more than vindicated the manager's choice to disregard the transfer fee and back the player instead. Despite arriving on English soil with modest expectations, Solskjaer consistently exceeded all predictions at Old Trafford.
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With Eric Cantona remaining the club's leading striker at United in 1996, Solskjaer wasn't anticipated to feature regularly. Yet he outperformed the Frenchman during his first season and netted 18 Premier League goals.
Solskjaer remained at Old Trafford for 11 years, netting 126 goals across 366 appearances in all competitions. He also secured nine major honours (including six Premier League titles) and will forever be regarded as a legend for his 1999 heroics at the Camp Nou.
Spurs eventually secured a United forward after bringing Teddy Sheringham back to the club on a free transfer in 2001. Nevertheless, the north Londoners could have altered not only their own path but European football history as a whole had they successfully signed Solskjaer 28 years ago.