Ronny Johnsen

Born in Sandefjord, Johnsen grew up in Stokke where he played for the local sides Sem IF and Stokke IL during his youth. He started his senior career as a striker in the second tier side Eik-Tønsberg in 1987, but was retrained as a centre-back by head coach Nils Johan Semb. Johnsen wanted to play as a striker and after he transferred to Lyn ahead of the 1992 season he played as a striker for the club in Tippeligaen. Halfway through the 1994 season, Johnsen transferred to Lillestrøm, where he was used more as a centre-back than a striker, before he moved to Beşiktaş in 1995. After a half season in Turkey, Johnsen was approached by Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson who wanted to sign him. Johnsen turned down the first offer, but transferred to Manchester United during the summer of 1996, and signed a five-year contract with the club. With a fee of £1.2million, Johnsen became the then most expensive Norwegian defender. While at Manchester United, he won 4 league titles (1997, 1999, 2000, and 2001), and one FA Cup in 1999 with the club. He was also a part of the team that won the UEFA Champions League in 1999. He covered the central midfield position in Manchester United's away win over Juventus in the semi-final. He also played the whole of the final in Barcelona, this time in defence, alongside Jaap Stam. He has the rare distinction of also winning four medals in four consecutive appearances with the club. He was on the pitch for the title clincher, FA Cup final, and…

Johnsen did not represent Norway at youth level; but while Johnsen was playing for Eik at the second tier, national team coach Egil Olsen, because of a recommendation from Nils Johan Semb, included Johnsen in his squad without having seen him play. Johnsen made his debut for the Norwegian national team in a friendly match against Sweden in 1991. He played as winger, striker and midfielder during his early career at the national team, before he was used primarily as a centre-back. Johnsen played some of the matches in the qualification for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and played as a striker when Norway won 3–0 away against Poland in 1993 and qualified for the World Cup, but was left out of the squad that travelled to the United States. Four years later, Johnsen was first choice at centre-back, and played all four matches in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Johnsen played 61 matches for Norway, until May 2004 when he played against Wales. Three years later, he made a comeback for the national team, and played the whole match home against Argentina, which was Johnsen's last match at international level. He was 38 years and 73 days when he was last capped, making him the second-oldest player for the Norwegian national team, only beaten by Gunnar Thoresen.

1 Includes FA Cup, Norwegian Football Cup and Turkish Cup. 2 Includes Champions League and UEFA Cup. 3 Includes FA Community Shield and Turkish Super Cup

Manchester United

Premier League: 1996–97, 1998–99, 2000–01 FA Cup: 1998–99 FA Charity Shield: 1996, 1997 UEFA Champions League: 1998–99 Vålerenga

Tippeligaen: 2005 Norwegian Football Cup: 2008 Individual

Kniksen Awards: Kniksen's honour award in 2008