> Solskjaer retires from football

Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed his retirement from football at the age of 34.

The Norwegian, who moved to Old Trafford 11 years ago and scored the winner in the 1999 Champions League final, has decided to step down after continuing problems with a knee injury.
It is believed that Solskjaer will remain at the club in a coaching capacity and will represent Manchester United as an official ambassador.

Solskjaer said: "I would like to thank the manager, the coaching and medical staff and most of all the supporters, who have supported me through my career. They have been fantastic and were a real inspiration to me when I was out injured."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Ending your playing career is a sad day for anyone, in the case of Ole, he has 11 fantastic years he can look back on. Ole has achieved everything a player could ever wish to achieve.
"He has been a great servant to the club and has always remained a model professional in his responsibility as a player, in his demeanour and his manners have always been exemplary. Ole will hopefully go on to be a good coach."

Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to the "exemplary" Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the veteran Manchester United striker confirmed his retirement due to persistent knee trouble.

The 34-year-old Norwegian, who wrote his name into United folklore after scoring the winner in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich during the 1999 treble-winning season, will now remain at Old Trafford in a coaching and ambassadorial capacity.

The former Norway international joined the Red Devils from Molde for £1.5million in 1996 and scored 126 goals in 366 appearances.

Solskjaer's last appearance came as an extra-time substitute during last season's FA Cup final defeat by Chelsea.

"Ending your playing career is a sad day for anyone," Ferguson told the club's official website.

"In the case of Ole, he has 11 fantastic years he can look back on.

"Ole has achieved everything a player could ever wish to achieve.

"He has been a great servant to the club and has always remained a model professional in his responsibility as a player, in his demeanour, and his manners have always been exemplary.

"Ole will hopefully go on to be a good coach."

Solskjaer himself confirmed the decision to hang up his boots had been taken with a heavy heart following a four-year battle with a knee problems.

"I would like to thank the manager, the coaching and medical staff and most of all the supporters, who have supported me through my career," he said.

"They have been fantastic and were a real inspiration to me when I was out injured.

"The support the fans and the staff showed me during that time was the main motivation for me making my comeback.

"I feel proud to have represented Manchester United for 11 years and have some very special memories."