“I want the No.1 spot because I am the best”

With David De Gea growing into his role as Manchester United’s #1 last season, Anders Lindegaard faces a tough task in taking the position but that hasn’t stopped the Danish keeper from declaring his intention to do so. 

Lindegaard shared goalkeeping duties with De Gea early in the season before an injury saw De Gea take  and hold onto the position. Without the figure of Lindegaard looming large, De Gea shook off early season jitters and finished as one of United’s stronger performers.

But with a new season about to get under way Lindegaard is ready to reclaim the #1 position and did his chances no harm against AmaZulu, making some good saves when called upon. But Lindegaard doesn’t want the position because De Gea is away on international duty:

“I want the No.1 spot because I am the best.

“I don’t want it because he (De Gea) is injured or he is not here.

“I am sure he is a bit in front right now because he did well last season, so I need to take every chance I get to prove myself worthy of the No.1 spot.”

Lindegaard’s injury and subsequent lack of playing time meant he missed out on a place in the Danish European Championship squad, but he plans to use the disappointment as extra motivation:

“If you look at it objectively, it was maybe one of the worst situations a football player has ever been in.

“I had worked for that spot since I was four. From the first time I touched the ball, that is what I dreamed of.

“It has been a very frustrating period, from the day I got injured until after the Euros.

“But I have to try and use it in a positive way. The disappointment was so big, if I let it drag me down, I will never get out of that hole again.”