Anders Lindegaard had to ditch around 20 years of specialist education when he arrived at Manchester United – but he is a better goalkeeper because of the drastic instruction.
Twelve months ago the new keeper was greeted by Reds coach Eric Steele with the news that virtually everything he had banked learning his trade in Norway and Denmark was redundant.
The £3.5m unknown from Aalesund's taks became even bigger when United splashed out £20m on Spanish star David de Gea, but Lindegaard has performed well and kept his fifth clean sheet of his six appearances this season.
“This is everything I have dreamt of. If I could have seen this scenario one year ago that I am in now I would have been absolutely delighted,” Lindegaard told M.E.N. Sport.
“I have learned a lot. Eric Steele has taught me everything. He has torn me apart and built me up again. I owe him a lot for the goalkeeper I am today. It has been a long journey and it has been amazing.
“I remember when I first arrived he said to me, ‘Everything you have been taught before you have to forget it because it is wrong and what I say is the truth’.
“And he pretty much did rebuild my game. He taught me from the beginning again. I was happy to do that. I was 26 and thrilled to sign for Manchester United and I would do anything to make my dream come true. I have done as much as I could to live up to what people wanted of me.
“It is the technical aspects of the game that Steely changed and said you just cannot use here in England.
“There are many things he has changed but one for example is that in Denmark when you catch the ball you learn to pull the ball into your chest for safety. I had been taught that from being a kid.
“Now I can see that is a part of the goalkeeping game that is ancient. You cannot use it anymore. If you draw the ball in you lose a split second when you lose the quickness of your distribution.
“Being a Manchester United goalkeeper it is very important that your distribution skills are good and quick. I know that if I hadn’t had good distribution skills I would never have been a part of this club. But becoming quicker has been vital for the way we play.
“If the progress keeps going like it has been I will be very satisfied this time in another 12 months’ time. What do I hope will be the situation then? It is a dynamic process and I have my goals but it is not for me to put them out in the press. I will keep them to myself.”
Success
In Lindegaard’s first six months at the club he played two FA Cup ties but had a spectator’s view of the Premier League title success and was a member of the Champions League final party at Wembley. But at times this term he has experienced the more traumatic side of life at Old Trafford, watching from the bench for the 6-1 derby defeat against City and the shock Euro exit in Basel.
United, however, hit back after the derby stunner and since the Champions League blow they’ve returned comprehensive victories against Wolves, QPR and Fulham scoring 11 goals and conceding just three. Lindegaard, like all United newcomers, has bought quickly into the resilient Reds culture.
“It is in the club’s genes to recover from setbacks. It is in the history of the place. It is who we are. We always rise again after defeat. You can see that throughout the club’s history,” Lindegaard added.
Anders, however, is happy to walk around Manchester and soak up the atmosphere without being too mithered by supporters in a city that is the capital of football and is buzzing with anticipation.
“When you are off you have to put away your football otherwise you would go crazy thinking about it all the time,” said the Dane.
“I enjoy living in Manchester and spending time in the city centre. It is a brilliant city. You can feel that they are used to having big football stars around so they have a very good way of handling that.
“I have no problems with people coming up to me and giving me a clap on the back and saying well done.
“The Mancunians are respectful of the private sphere of the players and it is a great place to be.
“It is only going to get more exciting.”
How do you see the battle for United's number one spot developing? Have your say.
Steeled for success: Anders Lindegaard's Manchester United master plan
December 23, 2011
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Shame for Anders Lindegaard. He is already a better player than De Gea but little does he know that Ferguson already has his plan in place for De Gea to be number one. It is nothing to do with the ability of the players but Ferguson prefers De Gea because of his build, potential and the fact that he is young.
AS good as he is, Anders Lindegaard will end up as the next Kuszczak
This guy should be given a fair chance which he is not getting at the moment imo. He is clearly the more composed, mature and better keeper right now but because he did'nt cost 20m De Gea is being given unwarranted preference by Fergie.
In the short term, Lindegaard or De Gea, in the long term, De gea everytime.
Lindegaard certainly looks the real deal and hopefully he'll get far more opportunities to further progress. But rather than slate De Gea, I think it's great that we have two potential great keepers at the club, who have years ahead of them.
Surely the fact that there is two of them, will encourage them both to keep focused and strive to improve. I just hope that SAF, realises this and rather than consider De Gea his number one choice, he picks either one of them on merit. After his performance at Fulham, I would like to think Lindegaard will start against Wigan.
Really think Lindegaard deserves the number one but we know how SAF works having spent a fair bit for degea he isn't about to admit his mistake just yet.
the way SAF is handling this is excellent
by the way, he is playing lindegaard much more often tha he did kitkat - because he wants to keep him hungry and involved
but not too often so as to unsettle de gea who is most definitely the future
what we have now is 2 very good goalkeepers who can totally handle it
again, genius man mangement from SAF - the best in the business at that
Like this lads attitude and hope he is given enough time and games to show what he can do and keep the pressure on De Gea to keep performing well. In keeper terms (age wise) both are still very much learning the ropes.
Keep pushing Anders and you will get the games. At least one foreign footballer loves Mcr. and your most welcome. Manchester is of course Red despite of what a few deluded people try to say otherwise.
Should be the number 1,end of
Hang on girls i told you about DE GEA, that hes well truly a joke, but this lindegards not much better...and you know it .snarf snarf..
The big problem we will have with De Gea is that he WILL BE a great keeper in about 6 or 7 years time and after our part in making him that GREAT KEEPER Madrid or Barca will come calling and off he will go back home.(Remember where you heard it when it happens).
What is most important is that there is competition between two young goalkeepers so the learning process will be much quicker for both.
Both of them are good goalkeepers, I am happy to see either one of them start the match, hope that they will continue to improve and don't end up like Fabien Barthez (from Hero to Zero).
the reality is with De Gea we are grooming the next big keeper for Madrid or barcelona, by the time he is brilliant Casillas or Valdes will need replacing better to go with Lindegard.....
If DE Gea had not cost so much he would play him a lot more
The keeper is mustard lindegaard is top drawer he really is ,ok we bought de gea but given the choice lindegaard is better all around total all round keeper.