Striker Solskjaer has been hit by another injury setback

The striker has been ruled out for the season following a second bout of surgery on his troublesome knee.

Ferguson said: "He's only 31 and has a determination that will hopefully help him but it is not easy for the lad.

"He had to go and see a specialist and he had to have surgery but hopefully now he'll have a good rehabilitation."

Ferguson added: "He has had one or two injuries in the past but he overcame those.

"I'm sure he will do so again. He is mentally strong, that's a great advantage."

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Solskjaer's latest setback leaves Ferguson without nine first-team stars for Wednesday's Champions League qualifier game against Dinamo Bucharest because of injury, suspension or the Olympics.

The Norwegian striker came on as a second-half substitute in the FA Cup final win over Millwall in May - and at the time it seemed as though his rehabilitation from injury was almost complete.

But the man Ferguson had originally earmarked to fill the right-sided midfield slot vacated by David Beckham felt more twinges of pain during pre-season training.

He pulled out of last month's US tour on the eve of departure and headed for Sweden for further tests - the outcome of which have devastated the United camp.

News that Solskjaer will miss the entire season comes as another blow to a camp that has endured a torrid start to the new season, which began with defeat by Arsenal in Sunday's Community Shield.

New signings Gabriel Heinze and Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the start of the campaign because of the Olympics, Wes Brown is injured and Rio Ferdinand and Darren Fletcher must both complete bans before they can play.