SALFORD RED
02-08-2008, 09:02 PM
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's playing days ended
on a winning note as Manchester United beat
Espanyol 1-0 at Old Trafford.
The Norwegian retired from the game almost 12 months ago,
but was handed a testimonial as a reward for his long and
distinguished service to the club.
Solskjaer, now United's reserve-team coach,
was given a late cameo against Espanyol and
was twice thwarted by keeper Cristian Alvarez.
The only goal of the encounter was provided by Fraizer Campbell,
who is pressing his claims to be a member of the champions'
first-team squad this season.
United were without a string of first-team regulars
as Paul Scholes twice fired over and Carlos Tevez
was narrowly off target after a quickly-taken free-kick.
Tevez and Scholes were both booked for challenges
on Roman Martinez before Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs
went close to an opener.
However, it was Nani who wasted the hosts' best chance,
drilling his shot into the side-netting after Scholes' delicate chip
had bounced back off a post.
Campbell was eager to take another chance to impress Ferguson
and one 20-yard shot brought a smart low save out of Alvarez.
The young striker secured a win for United with nine minutes to go
as he raced on to Giggs' superb pass to finish confidently past the
Espanyol keeper.
.
on a winning note as Manchester United beat
Espanyol 1-0 at Old Trafford.
The Norwegian retired from the game almost 12 months ago,
but was handed a testimonial as a reward for his long and
distinguished service to the club.
Solskjaer, now United's reserve-team coach,
was given a late cameo against Espanyol and
was twice thwarted by keeper Cristian Alvarez.
The only goal of the encounter was provided by Fraizer Campbell,
who is pressing his claims to be a member of the champions'
first-team squad this season.
United were without a string of first-team regulars
as Paul Scholes twice fired over and Carlos Tevez
was narrowly off target after a quickly-taken free-kick.
Tevez and Scholes were both booked for challenges
on Roman Martinez before Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs
went close to an opener.
However, it was Nani who wasted the hosts' best chance,
drilling his shot into the side-netting after Scholes' delicate chip
had bounced back off a post.
Campbell was eager to take another chance to impress Ferguson
and one 20-yard shot brought a smart low save out of Alvarez.
The young striker secured a win for United with nine minutes to go
as he raced on to Giggs' superb pass to finish confidently past the
Espanyol keeper.
.