No.1 Knows!?

Sir Alex has probably already made this blog entry null and void as he said in a press conference last week that David de Gea would be starting the new season between the sticks. Maybe it is also naive to think a couple of pre-season appearances could overturn this season but Anders Lindegaard has been impressive while on the pitch in the USA.

Although it is hard to judge any player in pre-season, judging the goalkeeper may be the most difficult task. They are not facing the same quality of crosses and shots when touring other leagues such as the MLS, with the number of times they are called into action also being limited. So maybe everybody asking the question de Gea or Lindegaard is a bit hasty.

Obviously the main pro for Lindegaard is that he has had time to settle in at Utd and may have a better idea of the atmosphere and pressures of playing in the English league. A second pro for the (someday great?) Dane would have to be his sheer confidence and self-belief he has in himself. Talking in the press when he signed that he did not come to Man Utd to sit on the bench and he would be pushing for the No.1 spot at Old Trafford. He has again re-itterated these sentiments this week stating;

"It's not about making the choice [as to who plays in goal] difficult for him [Sir Alex]," Lindegaard told ManUtd.com. "For me, it's about being number one. That is what it's all about - playing. I enjoy competing and, so far, I feel very good."

Its a horrible problem, because when a keeper does establish himself as the No.1 choice, it is important to keep him in nets to help his consistency. It is not a position where the manager can decided to swap and change or let the keepers take it in turns.

In my opinion, we will see de Gea start the season in nets, he was not bought for nothing and has had much stronger experience as a first team keeper compared to Anders. I don't believe Lindegaard could change Sir Alex's mind in the few appearances pre-season, but he has certainly done himself no harm. He has done well and won himself over a number of fans I'm sure, and provided himself a great platform to start off nipping at David's feet!

Perhaps he has created a selection problem where many thought their wouldn't be one. Hopefully both have a good season in which ever matches they play as the have a massive pair of boots gloves to fill.

Please subscribe, comment and share with friends, this blog is just beginning and I would love to hear your opinions on how to improve or what topics I should be looking at.