Anders Lindegaard

Anders Lindegaard

Lindegaard with Preston North End in 2016
Personal information
Full name Anders Rozenkrantz Lindegaard[1]
Date of birth (1984-04-13) 13 April 1984
Place of birth Odense, Denmark
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Playing position Goalkeeper
Number 1
Youth career
2001–2003 OB
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2009 OB 6 (0)
2008 → Kolding (loan) 10 (0)
2009–2010 Aalesund 56 (0)
2010–2015 Manchester United 19 (0)
2015–2016 West Bromwich Albion 0 (0)
2016 → Preston North End (loan) 14 (0)
2016–2017 Preston North End 8 (0)
National team‡
2002 Denmark U19 2 (0)
2003 Denmark U20 4 (0)
2010– Denmark 5 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:54, 27 December 2016 (UTC).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17:05, 26 December 2011 (UTC)

Anders Rozenkrantz Lindegaard (Danish: [ɑnɐs ˈlinˀəɡɒːˀ]; born 13 April 1984) is a Danish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Denmark national team. He began his career with his hometown club, Odense Boldklub, but a lack of first-team opportunities led to a move to Norwegian club Aalesund in 2009, with whom he won the Norwegian Football Cup. After winning the Goalkeeper of the Year award in both Denmark and Norway in 2010, Lindegaard was signed by Manchester United, where he played for five years as a back-up to Edwin van der Sar and David de Gea. He moved to West Bromwich Albion in 2015, but was unable to break into the team and joined Preston North End in January 2016, initially on loan.

Lindegaard represented Denmark at under-19 and under-20 level before making his senior debut on 7 September 2010 against Iceland.

Club career

Odense

Born in the Dyrup suburb of Odense,[3] Lindegaard started his career at local Danish Superliga team Odense Boldklub (OB). He made his Danish Superliga debut in a 3–1 victory against Silkeborg IF on 19 November 2006.[4] He made his UEFA competition debut on 30 July 2009, in a 4–3 win over Rabotnički.[5] During most of his time with OB, he was kept out of the team by Arek Onyszko, and he had two loan spells at Kolding FC, where he remained undefeated in the ten league games he got for the team, after it had lost the first four games of the season,[6] and Aalesunds FK, who he would later join permanently. When Onyszko was sacked by Odense in June 2009 due to him being convicted for assaulting his ex-wife, Lindegaard was seen as his replacement.[7] The arrival of Roy Carroll at Odense two months later, however, forced him to move on.[8]

Aalesund

In 2009, he joined Norwegian club Aalesunds FK on loan and later permanently. In 2009, he won the Norwegian Football Cup with Aalesund. In 2010, Lindegaard was named Goalkeeper of the Year in both Norway and Denmark.

Manchester United

2010–11 season

Lindegaard warming up for Manchester United before a game in 2011

Since early November 2010, he was reported to have become a target for English club Manchester United. Former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, however, opined that Lindegaard was not yet ready for regular Premier League action.[8] On 23 November 2010, it was reported that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expected to complete the signing of the player in the "next two or three weeks".[9] On 27 November 2010, Lindegaard joined Manchester United on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £3.5 million.[10] He trained with the first team throughout December, but he was unable to play for his new club until the transfer window re-opened on 1 January 2011. Lindegaard was officially registered with the Premier League on 6 January, and assigned the number 34 jersey.[11]

On 29 January, Lindegaard made his Manchester United debut in a 2–1 victory against Southampton in the FA Cup Fourth Round.[12] He made his Old Trafford home debut on 19 February in another FA Cup match, this time against the Conference National side Crawley Town, in which United won 1–0.[13] In March, he underwent knee surgery that would keep him out of action for five weeks.[14]

On 16 May, Lindegaard played in the Manchester Senior Cup final for the Manchester United Reserves against Bolton Wanderers Reserves, which United went on to win 3–1.[15]

2011–12 season

On 14 September, Lindegaard made his first UEFA Champions League start for United against Portuguese side Benfica. The match ended in a 1–1 draw with Lindegaard winning critical acclaim for his performance. Sir Alex Ferguson, however, still decided to continue with first-choice keeper David de Gea for the next match in the Premier League against Chelsea. Asked about challenging for the first-team spot, Lindegaard said, "What answer do you expect to that question? I've said a thousand times before I'm not here to pick my nose."[16] On 18 October, Lindegaard was handed his second Champions League start for United. He played against Oțelul Galați, with the match ending in a 2–0 win for United, earning them their first Champions League Group stage victory.

On 1 October 2011, Lindegaard made his Premier League debut for United against Norwich City in a 2–0 win at Old Trafford. He continued his run of clean sheets in his next four appearances in the Premier League, which included a 1–0 home win against Sunderland on 5 November, a 1–0 away win against Aston Villa on 3 December, a 5–0 away win at Fulham on 21 December and a 5–0 home win against Wigan Athletic in United's Boxing day fixture. His run of clean sheets in the league finally ended on 4 January away to Newcastle United when he was beaten three times in a game that United lost 3–0. A week later, on 8 January, Lindegaard played his biggest game for Manchester United so far, a 3–2 win against Manchester City in the FA Cup. He was chosen again for the starting line-up the following week when United beat Bolton Wanderers 3–0.[17] On 30 January 2012, he damaged ankle ligaments in training, forcing him to miss the game against Stoke City the next day, along with the unwell first-choice David de Gea, meaning youngster Ben Amos played goal. Later in the week, Sir Alex Ferguson revealed Lindegaard would miss the next four-to-five weeks and would not be expected back until the home game with West Bromwich Albion.

On 3 August 2012, Lindegaard signed a new four-year contract with United, keeping him at the club until June 2016.[18] He also took the number 13 jersey made vacant by the departure of Park Ji-sung, who had left the club for Queens Park Rangers.[19]

2012–13 season

Since the match against Norwich on 17 November 2012, first-choice goalkeeper David de Gea was sidelined with wisdom teeth problems.[20] Lindegaard was kept in goal for United's next five games until De Gea was recalled for the Champions League match against CFR Cluj. Lindegaard returned to the first team on 1 December 2012, against Reading in a match which ended 4–3. After the match, he came in for criticism by former United goalkeeper Alex Stepney, who said that he lacks "authority at the back".[21] After a long period on the bench as an understudy to De Gea, and with United having already secured the Premier League title a month earlier, Lindegaard started in goal for Sir Alex Ferguson's final game as United manager against West Brom at The Hawthorns; the match finished 5–5. That appearance was Lindegaard's tenth of the season, thus qualifying him to receive a Premier League winner's medal.

2013–14 season

In 2013–14, Lindegaard made just three appearances for the Manchester United first team – against Norwich in the League Cup, Swansea City in the FA Cup and Newcastle in the Premier League– keeping clean sheets against Norwich and Newcastle.

West Bromwich Albion

On 31 August 2015, Lindegaard joined West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.[22]

Preston North End

On 23 January 2016, Lindegaard joined Championship side Preston North End on loan for the remainder of the 2015–16 season.[23] He made his debut on 2 February where he kept a clean sheet against Derby County.[24] He was voted Man of the Match on his home debut, against Huddersfield Town.[25]

On 2 July 2016, Lindegaard signed a one-year permanent deal with Preston North End after the mutual termination of his West Brom contract.[26]

International career

Lindegaard has represented Denmark at under-19, under-20 and senior level. He made his debut for the U-19s in September 2002, and played a 2003 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification 1–0 win over Switzerland on 13 October 2002.[5] He played a total six youth international games until September 2003.

Lindegaard made his senior international debut in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Iceland on 7 September 2010, which Denmark won 1–0.[27][28] On 8 October 2010, Denmark faced Portugal in another Euro 2012 qualifier. Early on in the game, with Denmark trailing 0–2, an injury sustained by starting goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen brought Lindegaard into action. He made many saves to keep his team in the game, but conceded a goal in the 85th minute to Cristiano Ronaldo for the 1–3 result. Lindegaard started the following Euro 2012 qualifier against Cyprus, in which Lindegaard kept a clean sheet as Denmark won 2–0. He was expected to feature for Denmark at the Euro 2012 finals but due to injuries while playing for his club and lack of proper game time post-recovery, his national teammate Stephan Andersen took over after normal second-choice goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen was injured in a pre-tournament friendly against Brazil.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 27 August 2016
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other[nb 1] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
OB 2003–04 0000–00–00
2004–05 0000–00–00
2005–06 0000–––00
2006–07 1000–00–10
2007–08 1000–00–10
2008–09 0000–00–00
2009–10 4000–20–60
Total 6000–20–80
Kolding (loan) 2008–09[6] 10000–––100
Total 10000–––100
Aalesund 2009 26030–––290
2010 30010–2010340
Total 56040–2010630
Manchester United 2010–11 002000000020
2011–12 8010002000110
2012–13 10010101000130
2013–14 101010000030
2014–15 000000–0000
Total 19050203000290
West Bromwich Albion 2015–16 000010––10
Total 000010––10
Preston North End (loan) 2015–16 1200000––120
Preston North End 2016–17 500010–0060
Total 1700010–00180
Career total 1080904070101290

International

As of match played 11 May 2014[29]
Denmark national team
YearAppsGoals
201040
201110
Total50

Honours

Club

Aalesund

Manchester United

Individual

Personal life

Lindegaard married Housewives of Cheshire star, Misse Beqiri, a Swedish model of Albanian roots, in June 2014[30] but the pair divorced in August 2016.[31] They have a son named Julian.[32]

LGBT activism

Lindegaard is one of the few footballers to have spoken out against the intolerance of homosexuality in football and the absence of openly gay players from the professional game. In a 2012 blog entry, he wrote,

As a footballer I think first and foremost that a homosexual colleague is afraid of the reception he could get from the fans. My impression is that the players would not have a problem accepting a homosexual. Homosexuality in football is a taboo subject. The atmosphere on the pitch and in the stands is tough. The mechanisms are primitive, and it is often expressed through a classic stereotype that a real man should be brave, strong and aggressive. And it is not the image that a football fan associates with a gay person. The problem for me is that a lot of football fans are stuck in a time of intolerance that does not deserve to be compared with modern society's development in the last decades. While the rest of the world has been more liberal, civilised and less prejudiced, the world of football remains stuck in the past when it comes to tolerance. Homosexuals are in need of a hero. They are in need of someone who dares to stand up for their sexuality.[33]

Notes

  1. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Superfinalen, FA Community Shield

References

  1. ↑ "Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists" (PDF). Premier League. 4 February 2014. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  2. ↑ "Player Profile: Anders Lindegaard". Premier League. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Portræt: Fra dansk reserve til keeper i gigantklub" [Portrait: From Danish reserve goalkeeper to the giant club]. POLITIKEN.DK (in Danish). POLITIKEN. 18 November 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "Anders Lindegaard OB Statistics" (in Danish). danskfodbold.com. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Anders Lindegaard". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  6. 1 2 Johnsen, Thomas (25 November 2008). "Lindegaard tabt for KFC?" [Lindegaard lost for KFC?]. jv.dk (in Danish). Jydske Vestkysten. Retrieved 28 November 2010. KFC har ellers ikke tabt en eneste af de ti kampe, hvor Lindegaard har vogtet målet... [KFC had not lost any of the ten games, where Lindegaard had guarded the net...]
  7. ↑ "OB har Areks afløser klar". bold.dk. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  8. 1 2 Ladyman, Ian (23 November 2010). "Peter Schmeichel: Anders Lindegaard is not a Manchester United No 1". Daily Mail. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  9. ↑ "Man Utd close to Anders Lindegaard signing". BBC Sport. 23 November 2010. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  10. ↑ "Man Utd complete Anders Lindegaard signing". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 27 November 2010. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  11. ↑ Hibbs, Ben (6 January 2011). "Lindegaard gets no.34". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  12. ↑ "Anders Lindegaard does not want Manchester United's No1 shirt". Guardian. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  13. ↑ Mathieson, Stuart (21 February 2011). "Anders Lindegaard: United weren't good enough". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  14. ↑ Thompson, Gemma (15 March 2011). "Anders set for knee op". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  15. ↑ "First Team: Anders Lindegaard". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  16. ↑ Herbert, Ian (15 September 2011). "Ferguson snaps over 'stupid' query about De Gea omission". Independent.co.uk. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  17. ↑ Qureshi, Michael (14 January 2012). "Nu er Lindegaard nummer 1". Sporten.dk. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  18. ↑ "Manchester United's Anders Lindegaard signs new four-year deal". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  19. ↑ Marshall, Adam (17 August 2012). "Reds reveal shirt numbers". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  20. ↑ McDonnell, David (28 November 2012). "Hottest tin roof: Spanish cat De Gea says there's no pressure like United pressure". mirror.co.uk. Mirror Online. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  21. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (8 December 2012). "Sir Alex Ferguson needs to figure out that two into one won't go". guardian.co.uk. The Guardian Online. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  22. ↑ "Lindegaard signs for Albion". wba.co.uk. West Bromwich Albion FC. 30 August 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  23. ↑ "Anders Lindegaard Signs For The Season From West Bromwich Albion". Preston North End F.C. 23 January 2016.
  24. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35406635
  25. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35447308
  26. ↑ "Anders Lindegaard Completes Permanent Move To Deepdale". Preston North End F.C. 2 July 2016.
  27. ↑ "Man Utd eye Lindegaard as Van der Sar successor". ESPN soccernet. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  28. ↑ Bruun, Peter (7 September 2010). "Last-gasp Kahlenberg crushes Iceland". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  29. ↑ "Anders Lindegaard". National Football Teams. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  30. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2656188/Manchester-United-goalkeeper-Anders-Lindegaard-new-model-wife-Misse-Beqiri-posts-scorching-snap-Instagram.html
  31. ↑ http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/former-manchester-united-star-anders-8694504
  32. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2552068/Anders-Lindegaard-posts-pictures-stunning-WAG-Misse-Beqiri.html
  33. ↑ "Football needs gay hero, says Manchester United goalkeeper". Breaking News. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
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