United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Ending your playing career is a sad day for anyone, in the case of Ole, he has 11 fantastic years he can look back on.
“Ole has achieved everything a player could ever wish to achieve.
“He has been a great servant to the club and has always remained a model professional in his responsibility as a player, and in his demeanour, and his manners have always been exemplary.
“Ole will hopefully go on to be a good coach.”