Gunnar Aursnes says Solskjaer conversation shaped son’s move to Molde | OneFootball

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was pivotal in steering Fredrik Aursnes to Molde in 2016, according to his father Gunnar. "After a good talk, we signed the contract. So yes, Solskjaer meant a lot."

He was speaking to Dagbladet, and Aursnes is now one of Benfica’s key figures.

"There were ups and downs and he had to speak with Ole Gunnar before he was convinced Molde was the right place. He knocked over a player who was 30 kilos heavier. When Solskjaer saw that, he knew what he had signed."

Before the Molde move, the midfielder had already stood out in Norway, becoming the youngest, at 16, to start a Norwegian Cup final. His reserved nature even led him to turn down some youth call-ups.

Former Hodd sporting director André Nevstad said Aursnes felt things were happening too fast at the time, but on the pitch he showed a different personality marked by competitiveness and a will to win.

In 2024, Aursnes asked to be excused from Norway duty to manage workload and spend more time with family, then returned for the World Cup. Head coach Stale Solbakken said: "I do not think he causes problems, so it will go well."

"He has changed and grown, he is more confident, but as a person I do not think he has changed that much."

Source: Glorioso 1904