ANDERS LINDEGAARD was one of many few Manchester United goalkeepers over time to very practically oust David de Gea from his beginning spot.
His likelihood got here in January 2012, when he was instructed by Sir Alex Ferguson that his spectacular performances in coaching had earned him a beginning berth.
Lindegaard ousted De Gea within the 2011-12 seasonCredit score: Getty
Lindegaard now spends a number of his retired life fishingCredit score: Instagram @anders.lindegaard
De Gea, who had are available for a then big-money £29million from Atletico Madrid at first of the 2011-12 season, was struggling to settle and Fergie was keen to offer Lindegaard a run till the tip of the season.
However Lindegaard, who had joined United from Norwegian facet Aalesund for round £3.5m in 2010, instructed Manchester Night Information that his dream massive break quickly grew to become a nightmare.
After beginning six of seven video games, it regarded as if the shirt was Lindegaard’s to lose.
However because the workforce ready to face Stoke Metropolis in January, Lindegaard’s fortunes turned for the more serious.
The Dane spoke about how the harm he suffered in coaching ended up as a turning level in his profession.
He mentioned: “I discovered myself mendacity on the bottom with a badly harm ankle, completed for the season. The moment it occurred I knew it was dangerous. I used to be in agony however the harm from the truth of the scenario was way more painful.
“I used to be simply quietly mendacity on the bottom with tears streaming down my face. It was a turning level, a painful turning level.”
Lindegaard admits that he struggled to ever return to the requirements that had as soon as seen him take the primary shirt off De Gea – regardless of returning to health for the 2012 European Championships on the finish of that season.
Lindegaard’s type dipped after a nasty ankle harmCredit score: Bradley Ormesher – The Instances
The keeper retired final 12 monthsCredit score: Instagram @anders.lindegaard
Lindegaard mentioned the harm badly affected his type thereafter, explaining: “I couldn’t bounce off my proper leg and my distribution was badly affected. My distribution on the time was my edge, my kicking was top-class.
“When that didn’t work it was troublesome for me to play with confidence. And it’s troublesome to be a goalkeeper with out confidence.”
The next season, he performed the minimal 10 instances to earn a Premier League winners medal in Fergie’s remaining 12 months in cost.
Nonetheless, he mentioned he was naive in not telling the supervisor simply how a lot he had been fighting harm and felt he was not actually a part of the workforce’s success.
He mentioned: “The entire following 12 months, which was the boss’ [Ferguson’s] remaining 12 months, I used to be struggling badly. I wasn’t sensible sufficient to inform the administration I wasn’t feeling proper and take my time to get it fastened. I simply wished to play and contribute. I ended up enjoying ten Premier League matches that season to earn my winner’s medal. However I carried out badly.
“Taking a look at it retrospectively I’m proud to be a Premier League winner. However I carried out badly that season and didn’t really feel it was my honour.”
After Fergie left, he would solely go on to play thrice once more for United as he grew to become a transparent second-choice beneath David Moyes.
He left United for West Brom in 2015 in a transfer he says he now regrets.
He says on the time he solely wished to play, however ought to have accepted a back-up function: “Ultimately the selection was between extending my contract and accepting my function or strive one thing new. I selected one thing new. I remorse that now however it’s what it’s.
His Instagram is filled with photos of him cooking outsideCredit score: Instagram @anders.lindegaard
“A life with out regrets is a life not value dwelling for me. It was a troublesome time for the membership. Beneath Sir Alex, every little thing was like being part of a closely-knit household. He was the good charismatic patriarch who held every little thing collectively.”
Regardless of leaving United in quest of first-team soccer, his fortunes didn’t actually enhance.
He solely appeared in a single recreation for the Baggies, earlier than transferring to Preston the place he performed 24 instances.
He performed twice following a transfer to Burnley earlier than transferring to the Swedish league in 2019.
Final 12 months, the keeper hung up his gloves on the age of 38 after saying he’d come to the realisation he’d run his race in soccer.
He defined: “Each bodily and mentally I’ve no extra vitality to play skilled soccer. I don’t really feel the identical enjoyment and keenness for being on the pitch anymore.
“I’ve at all times been very clear about ending my profession too late than too quickly. I’d by no means forgive myself for doubting if I ought to have performed one other 12 months or two.”
And fishing on his InstagramCredit score: Instagram @anders.lindegaard
The keeper is but to announce his subsequent massive step when it comes to profession, however his Instagram is testomony to the truth that he’s specializing in spending time along with his household and fishing.
His 329k followers are sometimes handled to the idyllic scenes of him fishing within the Danish fjords, and cooking what he catches.
He mentioned he wished to retire on ‘his phrases’Credit score: Instagram @anders.lindegaard