London: Denmark international Anders Lindegaard has warned rival David De Gea that he is committed to reclaiming his position as Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper after a series of mistakes by the young Spaniard forced Sir Alex Ferguson into making a change.
Lindegaard had looked assured in the goal, but then he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in late January.
De Gea is on Olympics duty over the coming weeks, and Lindegaard can use United’s pre-season tour to impress Ferguson and potentially secure his spot in the team, The Daily Mirror reports.
Lindegaard said: “I played six or seven games in a row before I was injured, and, I think, that speaks for itself. If I don’t believe that I can become No.1, then no-one else can believe in it. So, of course, I believe in it.
“I’ve said a million times, I’m not at United to pick my nose, and, I will never be at United just to sit on my money. I want to deserve the money I earn, and I want to deserve it by playing. I’ve never seen myself as a straight No.2.”
Lindegaard, 28, admitted he did not feel he had the confidence of his teammates this time last year, when the squad embarked on a pre-season tour of the United States.
“I think I have more respect now, compared to 12 months ago. I went through a very hard period personally in terms of football before we went on the tour last season, because I didn’t play any games,” he revealed.
ANI
First Published: Tuesday, July 24, 2012, 16:20