Solskjaer's hometown Kristiansund turns into a ghost town for Man Utd vs Watford as fans rush to watch local hero
ON the weekend he was appointed Manchester United's permanent manager, SunSport travelled to Kristiansund – a Norwegian city with a population a third of the size of Old Trafford – to learn how a small boy from this corner of the world won the biggest job in English football.
Solskjaer's squad flew out to the city on Monday for a pre-season friendly with Kristiansund BK, the local pro club that plays in the Norwegian top flight.
Over three days in March we learnt how Solskjaer and his family are still a massive part of the community and how nobody here would stand to hear a bad word said against the local lad done good.
IT'S 4pm in Kristiansund, Norway, on Saturday, March 30.
Back in the UK, roads and shops, parks and cafes will all be brimming with life – but not here. Manchester United are about to kick-off.
There's barely a car on the road and the shoppers are indoors, fishing boats lie dormant on the docks.
They're all sat in front of a screen with something better to do – watch Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United.
Solskjaer grew up in the city of just 25,000, a two-hour flight from Oslo on Norway's west coast, and everyone has some connection to him and his family.
Walk into any shop, cafe or bar and ask about Kristiansund's most famous son and you'll get a sincere, gushing response about the local boy done good.
His sister is a neighbour to one, his kids go to school with another.
During his time with Norwegian club Molde, the Baby-Faced Assassin would make a two-hour round trip to train the pros there in the morning.
In the afternoon, he would return to boyhood club Clausenengen and help out in training sessions at the club, where two of his three kids still play.
When Solskjaer was named interim boss, the Hollywood sign on a hill in Kristiansund had the famous banner: '2OLegend'
NEVER LEFT
Although he has gone on to fame and riches in Manchester, Solskjaer has never really left the city.
He owns a number of properties around the four islands and most of his immediate and extended family are here, active members in the local community.
Whenever he's back in town, Ole Gunnar – as everyone calls him – is the kindest, most down to earth person they have met.
He always has time for people, will smile and wave as he walks past, or will share a quick chat at the supermarket.
Younger people will stop him for selfies for autographs and he never says no.
He has no ego at all, they say.
The 46-year-old is a point of pride for locals, who are still amazed someone from their small corner of the world not only became one ofootball's biggest stars during his playing days at Old Trafford, but is now leading the players so well since taking the job.
It's his humility and ability to connect with people that's been the key to his success so far.
If it's still not clear how much the manager is loved in this part of the world, ask a local Liverpool fan.
Even a couple of staunch Reds admitted they want Solskjaer to succeed in the job.
Although they certainly don't want him lifting any trophies.
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