ANDERS LINDEGAARD was one of the few Manchester United goalkeepers to nearly replace David de Gea.

Sir Alex Ferguson gave him a starting spot in January 2012 after his strong training efforts.

Lindegaard replaced De Gea in 2011-12.

Lindegaard now fishes most of his retirement.

De Gea, who had joined from Atletico Madrid for a then-big-money £29million at the start of the 2011-12 season, was struggling to adjust, but Fergie was willing to give Lindegaard game time until the finish.

In 2010, Lindegaard joined United from Norwegian side Aalesund for roughly £3.5m. He told Manchester Evening News that his fantasy big break swiftly turned a nightmare.

Lindegaard appeared to be winning after six games.

Lindegaard’s luck changed in January before the team’s match against Stoke City.

The Dane said his training ιnjury changed his career.

He said: “On the ground with a seriously injured ankle, I was done for the season. The moment it happened, I knew it was horrible. I was in pаin, but the reality stung more.

“I was lying on the ground crying. It was a hard turning moment.”

Despite recovering to fitness for the 2012 European Championships, Lindegaard feels he never really returned to the standards that saw him dethrone De Gea as the number one.

A serious ankle ιnjury slowed Lindegaard.

The keeper retired last year

Lindegaard stated the ιnjury hampered his form: “I couldn’t jump off my right leg and my distribution was awful. At the time, my distribution and kicking were my strengths.

“I struggled to play confidently after that failed. Being a goalkeeper without confidence is hard.”

He received a Premier League winners medal in Fergie’s final season after playing the necessary 10 times.

He admitted he was naïve in not telling the management how much he was injured and felt he wasn’t part of the team’s victory.

“I struggled the following year, the boss’ [Ferguson’s] final year. My mistake was not telling management I wasn’t feeling well and taking my time to rectify it. I just wаnted to play and help. I won my winner’s medal after ten Premier League matches. My performance was poor.

Looking back, I’m happy to have won the Premier League. But I did poorly that season and didn’t feel honored.”

After Fergie left, he only played three times for United as David Moyes made him second-choice.