In August 1996, Alex Ferguson’s side were trailing 2-1 at Old Trafford to Blackburn Rovers. Paul Warhurst and Lars Bohinen had scored either side of a Jordi Cruyff goal and the Reds were dominating the game and creating a hatful of chances.
Recalling that Reserves boss Jim Ryan had watched the new £1.5million unknown recruit from Molde, Solskjaer, impressing for the second team and telling the boss that he had ‘a player’ on his hands, the United manager called the 23-year-old Norwegian off the bench.
Solskjaer went on for his debut after 61 minutes to replace David May.