By Chris O'Brien
December 6 2005

Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer began his comeback from a frustrating leg injury with a 45-minute appearance for the reserves. The 32-year-old completed the first-half as the Red Devils went down 2-0 to rivals Liverpool at Ewen Fields.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made his long-anticipated return in Manchester United colours as the reserves went down 2-0 against rivals Liverpool.

 

A bumper crowd of 2,738 were in attendance at Hyde FC’s Ewen Fields to witness the Norwegian international end a frustrating 19-month spell on the sidelines with a 45-minute appearance.

 

The ‘20Legend’, missing from the Stretford End since the Glazer takeover, returned amongst supporters as Solskjaer started the game and played the entire first-half. He looked bright and lively and saw a couple of opportunities blocked by the visitors, who were worthy 2-0 winners.

 

"The plan was always to play for 45 minutes for the reserves but I feel as though I could have gone on for longer." said the 32-year-old, who was replaced by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

Solskjaer, who last appeared for the club as a substitute during the 2004 F.A Cup final, went onto praise supporters: "It is amazing to get so much support. I am very grateful. Although I always knew I could get back to playing at this level, it was a great feeling to be out there again."

The opening goal of the game came on 10 minutes. Former Red Devils hot shot Ramon Calliste took advantage of an error from Luke Steele to net home. The ‘keeper misjudged a header back towards his goal and the Welsh under-21 international took the chance superbly.

 

It was a scrappy affair with few real chances. Gerard Piqué and Giuseppe Rossi went close for Rene Meulensteen's’s side in the second-half, but the result was put beyond doubt in the closing moments as substitute Besian Idrizaj headed home.

 

The result was disappointing, but it’s fantastic to see a true legend of Manchester United back in action. He looks set to feature in our next second-string game against Bolton Wanderers next week.

 

Full Time – Manchester United Reserves 0-2 Liverpool Reserves
Attendance – 2,738

 

United XI: Steele, Simpson, Eckersley, Cathcart, Piqué, Fox (Gray, 78), Neumayr, R Jones, Solskjaer (Ebanks-Blake, 46), Rossi, Martin (Cooper, 64).
Substitutes not used: Lee, Marsh.