“That is one of the things I am very happy with and from that I know he is mentally strong enough.”
The Spanish keeper grew into his role as United’s new #1 after a tough start last season, and has established himself as one of the finer stoppers in England.
Whilst there are still areas of his game to be worked on, Schmeichel is confident that the 20 year old has what it takes to succeed as United’s number 1:
“I have absolutely no problem with the shot stopping. I think he has improved on crosses as well. He is coming for the right things. He is a different kind of goalkeeper than what people think goalkeepers in this country should be like.
“But when you look at the Premier League now you don’t have a lot of goalkeepers who come for a lot of crosses. That has changed in the last couple of years. They are now all very good with their feet.
“To recover from what he experienced in his first four months, I would say yes (he has mentality). At 20 years of age every time you see a newspaper you are in there and every time you see that newspaper it is not good; to recover from that is one of the things I am very happy with and from that I know he is mentally strong enough.”
Schmeichel also dismissed rumours of a Wayne Rooney departure now United have signed Robin Van Persie, as well as claiming he regrets not saying bye to Manchester United properly at the end of United’s memorable 98/99 treble winning season.