The super-sub is often a label that many attack-minded players don’t like to have, as they want to be a key figure from the out-set of the match. Despite often having to settle with substitute appearances, these players found success at United and made a great impact entering play at the latter stages of matches.
#5 Michael Owen
Substitute Appearances: 34
Total Appearances: 52
Goals: 17
Despite joining Liverpool’s academy from a young age, going through the youth ranks and eventually becoming one of their key players, he had a spell with their rivals later on his career, which potentially dented his reputation with the Anfield faithful. Michael Owen left Liverpool for Real Madrid during the Galacticos era, and due to the amount of world class players, found it difficult to cement his place in the starting line-up. Owen returned to England after only spending a season at Madrid, and joined Newcastle. After a 4-year period at the Tyneside based club, his contract came to an end which resulted in the free transfer to United, and Owen was given the number 7 shirt following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.
The Englishman will be remembered by United fans for his injury-time Manchester derby winner, in a 4-3 thriller. This was Owen’s first Old Trafford goal for United, as he was able to control Ryan Giggs’ through ball, and slotted the ball past Shay Given in the 96th minute. During his 3-year stay at Old Trafford, he added a Premier League winner’s medal to his collection, something he wasn’t able to achieve at Liverpool.
#4 Teddy Sheringham
Substitute appearances: 52
Total appearances: 153
Goals: 46
Teddy Sheringham joined United for a fee of £3.5 million, as he left Tottenham with the aim to win trophies, which was certainly achieved. He came in to replace club legend Eric Cantona, as the Frenchman retired at the young age of 30. After a trophy-less first season for Sheringham, he saw the arrival of Dwight Yorke from Aston Villa, which ultimately led to him being limited to substitute appearances, as the Cole and Yorke partnership began.
Despite only scoring 5 goals in the 1998/99 treble season, he scored goals in two finals. He replaced the injured Roy Keane during the FA Cup final against Newcastle and scored in their 2-0 victory. He went on to make another super-sub appearance in the Champions League final, and scored an injury-time equaliser against Bayern Munich. Another super-sub made his mark that day as well. After achieving the treble, he won two further Premier League titles with United, before returning to White Hart Lane.
#3 Mark Robins
Substitute Appearances: 43
Total Appearances: 70
Goals: 17
The man who is known for saving Sir Alex Ferguson’s job as Manchester United manager. It was rumoured that if it wasn’t for United’s FA Cup success in 1990, then Ferguson would have been sacked due to their league position, which saw them finish 13th.
“Every day in the lead up to that game we were picking up the papers and reading that the manager was facing the sack,” former United defender Viv Anderson, told the Manchester Evening News.
In the 3rd round of the FA Cup, United faced Nottingham Forest away from home and Mark Robins came off of the bench and scored the winning goal, supplied by Mark Hughes. Robins carried on his important role in the cup, as he scored another winning goal, this time against Oldham Athletic in the semi-final replay. He made substitute appearances in the Final and the replay against Crystal Palace, picking up a winners medal.
#2 Javier Hernandez
Substitute Appearances: 69
Total Appearances: 154
Goals: 59
Manchester United managed to sign Javier Hernandez before he participated in the 2010 World Cup for Mexico, as his performances could have provided competition for his signature. He became a fan favourite during his time at United, as he was always on hand to come up with a goal when needed. He had a brilliant goal-scoring record against Chelsea, and even opened up his United tally against them on his debut. It was a comical goal, as he kicked the ball against his face and it rebounded into an open goal, during the 2010 Community Shield 3-1 win.
He also won the Premier League title during his debut season, and topped it off by winning the Fans Player of the Year award, as he came up with 20 goals in all competitions. He provided three, double-figure tallies whilst under management from Sir Alex Ferguson, but his goals dried up under David Moyes’, as he only notched up 9 goals during the Scotsman’s reign. Chicharito was then loaned out to Real Madrid the following season, following the arrival of Radamel Falcao. Once again, Hernandez was mainly used as a substitute to replace the void of Alvaro Morata, who was sold to Juventus earlier that season. He has returned to United after Madrid failed to exercise their option to buy him on a permanent basis. He looks set to leave Old Trafford as the Mexican is currently in talks with MLS side Orlando City.
#1 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Substitute Appearances: 150
Total Appearances: 366
Goals: 126
The undoubted number one super-sub in United history and arguably the best in history. The Norwegian was known for his young looks and deadly finishing, giving him the nickname of the baby-faced assassin. He is United’s 16th highest all-time goal-scorer, highlighting his longevity and success at Old Trafford. Solskjaer is also considered as one of Sir Alex’s best bargain buys, as it only cost £1.5 million for the services of the striker, who came from Norwegian club Molde.
Over the course of 11 seasons at Manchester United, he achieved 7 double-figure goal tallies. His most successful goal scoring season was when he scored 25 goals during the 2001-02 season. One of the substitute appearances he is remembered for was when he scored 4 goals in 12 minutes, during a game against Nottingham Forest. However, what made him a United legend was when he scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League Final, a poachers goal in injury time. He continued to achieve titles and was always considered as a key player of Ferguson’s squad, which was ever-changing and adapting over the course of Solskjaer’s career. He even put in quality performances when called upon to play on the right-wing, during the early 2000’s.
After some lengthy absences from injury, Solskjaer retired in August 2007, holding the record off the most goals scored for Manchester United as a substitute, scoring 28 goals off the bench.
