Blog: Wes salutes Ole

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's decision to hang up his boots after an 11-year career with the Reds was a shock for United fans everywhere when the news broke on Tuesday, but as Wes Brown reveals, it came as a big surprise to everyone in the dressing room as well...

Like everyone else we only found out on Tuesday. We knew he'd been having a few problems with his knee but we thought he'd still be okay for the rest of the season. So we were all pretty shocked.

We're really disappointed by the news especially as we needed him this season. But it's his decision and we all respect that.

Over the years he's been a great servant to the club and he's definitely up there with the greats of this club. He'll be hugely missed in the dressing room as a player. He's very down to earth and good guy to be around. I don't know anyone who has a bad word to say about him. He achieved so much in the game yet still remained the same modest guy that's he always been - that's a great example for any young footballer.

That goal in Barcelona is something no-one will ever forget, but he scored great goals throughout his career, some of the best I've ever seen. His strike rate speaks for itself and if it hadn't have been for his injuries he would have scored even more.

We're all gutted to see him finish but the good thing is he'll still be around the club. There's a lot he can bring to the club and a lot he can offer to the budding stars of the future.