Manchester United would not be the force they are in the game today were it not for the role of the late Sir Matt Busby, former striker and current reserve coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer acknowledged yesterday.

United will continue commemorating the centenary of the legendary manager's birth today when Solskjaer takes a team up to Motherwell for a meeting at Fir Park.

Busby's spirit was forged from the tough environment of his Lanarkshire origins and Solsjkaer is aware that the man who led United to their first European Cup in 1968, after surviving the Munich Air Crash of a decade earlier, has left an indelible mark.

"When I first came to the club I got to know all about its history and, through that, Sir Matt," said Solskjaer. "I know exactly what he means to Manchester United.

"I have spoken to his son, Sandy, on a number of occasions, which helps to learn more about the man who built the club. Manchester United owes a lot to him.

"It was Sir Matt who had the drive and vision to take the club into Europe when no-one else would."

Solskjaer, of course, made his own imprint on the European stage in netting the last-gasp winner in the 1999 Champions League final which saw United come from behind to beat Bayern Munich.

Not only that, but the final was the day of what would have been Busby's 90th birthday.

"Of course, I will never forget May 26, 1999," said the Norwegian.

"To score the winning goal in the European Cup final on what would have been Sir Matt's 90th birthday was extraordinary.

"It just brought me even closer to the club and, of course, to Sandy."

Now it falls to Solskjaer to bring through emerging talent, as he looks to build on the legacy of youth which Busby began with his Busby Babes half a century ago.