Soccer: Solskjaer promises cult revival for Man U

Even before the transfer window opens in the new year, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has a "new" striker primed for the second half of the festive programme.

His record is daunting - 117 goals in 200 starts - while the name may sound familiar. Come on down, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Nearly 20 months after his previous game for Manchester United, in the FA Cup final defeat of Millwall, Solskjaer took a major step in his recovery from a career-threatening knee injury with a cameo role during the closing stages of yesterday's 2-2 draw at Birmingham City.

A "delighted" Ferguson, drawing on the Take That songbook, said that he hoped the 32-year-old Norwegian was "back for good".

Solskjaer himself admitted that he was still short of match fitness but added, with an eye on tomorrow's Old Trafford derby against Bolton Wanderers and Tuesday's visit to Arsenal, that he was now ready to play whenever called upon.

Talking to MUTV, Solskjaer said: "It was fantastic to be back against Birmingham. I proved to myself that I can be involved in a Premiership game again.

"But that was only a little bit of what I have been working towards. I've been working to get back into training, then to play, then to get into the first team on the bench. It's taking things step by step."

Solskjaer, a cult figure among supporters because of his European Cup-winning goal against Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp in 1999, said that he had drawn inspiration from the rapturous acclaim of the United contingent when he joined the fray at St Andrew's.

"Hearing the fans was fantastic. It's that feeling that has driven me on, which is why I went to wave to them at the end," Solskjaer said.

"It has been a bit surreal, being injured for so long and still having everyone wanting you to get back.

"I'm going to take time to get match-fit, but it will come as long as I keep improving in training.

"I can do everything I want in training, which is the main thing. I don't think I'd have been on the bench if Louis Saha had been fit to play.

"But I'm part of the squad now and available whenever the gaffer needs me."

Ferguson, putting aside his irritation with the referee and his own defenders after a match in which United led twice, said: "I'm delighted for Ole and he did well.

He was only on the pitch for eight or nine minutes but he showed a real enthusiasm to play and has had no ill effects.

You have to remember how long he has been out, so you have to be pleased with that.

Hopefully, that is him back for good."

- INDEPENDENT