Solskjaer appeals for patience after 18-month exile

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has cautioned against Manchester United fans’ unrealistic expectations of him following the popular striker’s return to action at Birmingham on Wednesday.

Solskjaer ended an 18-month absence from senior duty when he replaced Cristiano Ronaldo seven minutes from the end of United’s 2-2 draw at St Andrews.

Although the Norwegian, who has had two lots of knee surgery since his last first-team appearance in the 2004 FA Cup final defeat by Millwall, was unable to seal his emotional return with a goal which would have kept the Red Devils’ flagging title hopes alive, his introduction was greeted with rapturous applause from the visiting fans.