Manchester United signed David de Gea from Atlético Madrid in 2011 and he’s been the first-choice goalkeeper for the Red Devils since then.
The Spain international didn’t enjoy a good start to his life in the Premier League and Sir Alex Ferguson turned to Anders Lindegaard in January 2012. He was ready to challenge De Gea for a place in the starting lineup, but an injury forced the Dane to spend time away from the pitch.
After that, Lindegaard went on to make 11 more appearances in the league for the Red Devils before leaving Old Trafford in 2015.
The English giants terminated the keeper’s contract and allowed him to leave as a free agent, which then helped West Bromwich Albion sign him for nothing in 2015.
He struggled at The Hawthorns and had spells at Preston North End and Burnley before returning to Norway in the summer.
Lindegaard has now admitted there was a possibility for him to extend stay at Old Trafford, even though his appearances were restricted.
“I understand that there are many who have an opinion towards me and my career, and I fully understand that someone will say that I have wasted my talent or that I have hunted the money,” he told Tipsbladet.
“You never get around that playing football is also about making money. It has also been important to me, just as it is to all other footballers today. If they say something else to you, they lie.
“But I always want to say that I’ve been chasing my dreams. After all, I dreamed of playing in Manchester United, from when I was a little boy, and I kept that dream for a really long time.
“And I could have held on to it even longer if I wanted to. I could have stayed at Man United, but then made a decision that I would try something different. It just didn’t work out.”
After a long spell of patchy appearances, Lindegaard has been playing regularly for his current club, Helsingborg. He has questioned himself whether he had what it takes to become successful at the highest level in Europe.
“After I started playing again, I reflected on what the dream really is. Is being at a club like United, is it making money or is it just playing football and feeling like you are the best every time?” the keeper said.
“I could well have stayed in Norway, and there is also a part of me today that wish I had stayed in Scandinavia all these years.”
“I can feel the role I have been given in Helsingborg now, it is hugely important and I can feel that I enjoy it very well. It is far easier for a man with my skills to get that role in a club like Helsingborg than it is in a club like Manchester United.
“It is very difficult to get a major role in a huge club like Manchester United. And I thrive best by having a major role in a football team, I thrive best by being able to feel that I have responsibilities, and when I can feel that what I do makes a difference.
“My dream, of course, was to achieve that role at Manchester United, but if I have ever had the skills to do so, I’m not sure.”
