Career
He was purchased by Manchester United from Beşiktaş of Turkey in 1996 for a fee of £1.2million. Prior to Beşiktaş, his career took him to Stokke, Eik-Tønsberg, Lyn, and Lillestrøm.
While at Manchester United, he helped the club to 4 league titles (1997, 1999, 2000, and 2001), and one FA Cup in 1999. He also contributed enormously to Manchester United's UEFA Champions League win in 1999, and covered the central midfield position in Manchester United's away win over Juventus in the semi-final in a game that is considered by many to be the best of his career. 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 Champions League final in 1999, and because of injury, the 2000 league title clincher against Tottenham Hotspur. Although he fell well short of the 10 appearances required for a title winner's medal in 2000, he received a title winner's medal through special dispensation - similar to the one credited to Dion Dublin for the same reason seven years earlier. The following season, he just met the criteria for a title medal.
While at Manchester United, he scored eight goals in all competitions - the first coming against Chelsea in the FA Charity Shield in August 1997. He remained with them until his contract expired at the end of the 2001–02 season, when he was given a free transfer.
In 2002, Johnsen and fellow Norwegian international Øyvind Leonhardsen had a trial at German side Schalke 04. After that move fell through, Johnsen signed with Aston Villa. In two years at Aston Villa, he scored once in the league, against Leeds United in February 2004. After leaving Aston Villa, Johnsen signed for Newcastle United but only played a handful of games before being released with concerns over his fitness levels.
Johnsen was part of the Norwegian national team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and has capped 61 times for his country.
In February 2005, Johnsen announced his retirement from professional football. Shortly after he changed his mind, signing a one-year contract with the Norwegian club Vålerenga. He has renewed this contract for the 2006 and recently also the 2007 season, and again for the 2008 season.
On 22 August 2007, he had a remarkable comeback on the Norwegian national football team, playing the whole match home against Argentina. Norway won the game 2–1.
Johnsen retired as an active football player on 3 November 2008, with Vålerenga losing their final game of the 2008 season 1–0 to SK Brann.
Read more about this topic: Ronny Johnsen
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