Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will forever have a place in Manchester United history, but things so easily could have turned out very differently in 1998. Long before his iconic Champions League winner and eventual stint in the Old Trafford dugout, the Norwegian striker was on the verge of swapping United red for Tottenham white. Only a private intervention from Sir Alex Ferguson stopped a move that could have reshaped both clubs’ modern histories.
Rather than becoming a Spurs forward, Solskjaer remained in Manchester and was pivotalto one of the finest seasons English football has ever seen. As United and Tottenham prepare to meet once again in the Premier League, the story serves as a reminder of how fragile football destiny can be.
Solskjaer faced career crossroads as Tottenham deal agreed
By the summer of 1998, Solskjaer was still finding his feet at Manchester United. Despite flashes of clinical finishing, he was not yet the guaranteed legend he would later become. Tottenham Hotspur, eager to strengthen their attacking options, saw an opportunity and moved quickly.
An agreement was reached between the two clubs, with United accepting a fee believed to be around £5.5 million. Paperwork was drawn up, and senior figures from both sides had effectively green-lit the deal. From Tottenham’s perspective, the move was done. All that remained was the player’s signature.
Solskjaer later admitted just how close the switch came to happening. Everything had been agreed, and the transfer documents were ready. At that point, the Norwegian striker was preparing to leave Old Trafford after just two years. It was a moment that placed his entire career trajectory in the balance.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s private conversation that changed everything
With the transfer seemingly inevitable, Sir Alex Ferguson made one final move. He summoned Solskjaer for a private conversation, shutting the door behind them. What followed proved decisive.
Ferguson made it clear that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remained part of his plans and that he saw him as an important member of the squad moving forward. There were no promises of instant stardom, but there was trust, belief, and a clear message: stay, and you will matter here.
That vote of confidence changed Solskjaer’s mind. Had Ferguson wished him luck and allowed him to leave, the striker has admitted he would have gone. Instead, he signed a new contract and remained at Manchester United, rendering the faxed agreement with Tottenham meaningless.
It was a classic Ferguson moment, protecting the squad, managing personalities, and making decisions that extended far beyond immediate results.
From near exit to Champions League immortality
Twelve months later, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would justify Ferguson’s faith in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. In the final seconds of the 1999 Champions League final, against Bayern Munich, he nudged the ball into the net to complete an extraordinary comeback and secure United’s historic treble.
That single instant secured his place among the club’s legends. Rather than being remembered as a promising forward who left early, he became synonymous with one of football’s greatest nights. He would go on to spend the rest of his playing career at United before retiring in 2007.
Years later, his return as manager brought mixed fortunes. After taking over as caretaker in 2018, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earned a permanent role and helped stabilise the club before his dismissal in 2021. Despite the challenges, United publicly thanked him for rebuilding key foundations during a turbulent period.
As United and Tottenham meet again, with pressure mounting on Spurs and scrutiny never far away at Old Trafford, the near-transfer remains a fascinating “what if”. One private chat, one closed door, and football history was rewritten.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add Six Sports as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Add as a preferred source on Google
Mentioned in this Article
Recommended for you