Began his footballing career with Stokke, before having spells with Eik Tonsberg, Lyn Oslo and Lillestrom prior to moving to Turkey.

The skillful defender was bought as replacement for Steve Bruce and became a permanent fixture in the side, playing alongside Gary Pallister in 1996/97 and 1997/98.

He played in all four of Norway's France '98 matches to high acclaim, supporting the fans' nickname of the 'Norwegian Beckenbauer'.

He also played a key role in the team's the historic 1998/99 treble, playing through the pain barrier on many occasions.

He suffered a frustrating 1999/2000 season which was spent mainly on the treatment table after he sustained injuries to both knees. And after being unable to take part in United's pre-season in 2000, he continued to struggle, and missed the greater part of the season.

He returned to the fold at the start of the 2001/02 season and after the departure of Jaap Stam is one of the senior defenders charged with helping the development of younger players like Wes Brown and John O'Shea.

But injury continued to blight his Old Trafford career as Johnsen misses large chunks of the campaign. Sir Alex Ferguson decided not to offer the player a new contract and he was released in the summer of 2002.

Johnsen played 153 games for United, scoring nine goals.

At one stage it looked as though he would sign for German side Schalke 04, but in the end it was Aston Villa who snapped up the defender on a free transfer towards the end of August 2002. He signed a one-year contract with the option of an extension.

Johnsen said of the move: 'I am really pleased to have signed for Villa. I feel really fit now. I have had these problems with my knees but things have been okay for a while now and I am back playing with the national side.'