Man United line up clone of their most successful keeper
Published:
With Real Madrid confident that a UEFA-imposed transfer ban will soon be lifted on appeal, Manchester United must reluctantly find a goalkeeper worthy of replacing David De Gea.
The Madrid native was just a paperwork muddle away from a Bernabeu switch last August and although his conduct and performances at United have been exemplary this season, De Gea would surely seize the chance to join up with Zinedine Zidane and co if it is presented again.
Current Real number one Keylor Navas was supposed to be the pawn in the aborted transfer, but the morning gossip columns suggest a far more familiar name to Red Devils fans is now in pole position to replace De Gea.
Peter Schmeichel is the most iconic keeper in United’s illustrious history and also the most successful having kept net during the trophy-laden 90s under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Now the Great Dane’s own flesh and blood could ensure the Schmeichel legacy is continued at Old Trafford more than a decade later, with son Kasper linked to the 13-time Premier League champions.
It has taken a long time for Schmeichel Jnr, now aged 29, to even be recognised as one of the top keeping talents in English football, but his performances for Leicester City this season have lived up to his famous family name.
Only kept off top spot by goal difference from Arsenal, the Foxes’ stopper’s agility and commanding presence between the sticks have been an integral part of the incredible reversal in fortunes for last season’s prime relegations candidates.
Although his father’s act will be extremely tough to follow as a bone fide Old Trafford legend, De Gea’s exploits over the past three seasons also leave any potential successor standards which will be difficult to emulate.
The Spanish stopper’s value to United was once again in evidence at Anfield last time out, as a string of superb saves against Liverpool gave Wayne Rooney the platform to complete the smash-and-grab victory with his late strike.
Having left the Reds trailing in pursuit of fourth, Louis van Gaal’s men are now odds-on at 3/4 to clinch a Champions League spot.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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