Photo: Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard (Getty Images)
Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard has risked facing the wrath of manager Louis van Gaal after he missed watching ‘El Classico’ with his teammates. The Dutch master tactician revealed that 17 of his 18 man squad to face Chelsea were seen watching the clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona but refused to name the missing player. However, English newspaper Daily Mail broke the news that the missing player was indeed Lindegaard who was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in January 2011.
Team chemistry is a significant part of LvG’s philosophy as he sees bonding as a huge way of getting his players to get to know each other. During his time with Ajax, Barcelona and notably Bayern Munich he would order his teams to eat together and try to get them to do as much as possible together as one unit.
At the team hotel before their clash against Chelsea, the manager said he was surprised to see his team excited about the big clash in Spain. He said, ‘We went to the Lowry, we had a screen so I could watch the second half and 17 players of 18 were there. I have never experienced that before. We have a lot of Spaniards. I won’t tell you which one wasn’t there.’
He continued, ‘It was the quality of the game – Real Madrid vs Barcelona. I told the players, you have seen what they have done because for example, Barcelona under Gerardo Martino pressed from the front, but under Luis Enrique it is from behind.’
Late last week it was confirmed by a statement on Manchester United’s website that former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes was given the opportunity to train with the club. Van Gaal gave the Spaniard his debut during his time at the Camp Nou and reports are suggesting that he will be monitored by United’s medical staff and could be offered a contract if he recovers well from a knee injury and impress the coaching staff.
This had surely put Lindegaard’s future at the club in serious doubt and his action at the weekend, missing the match with his teammates would not have pleased his boss. David De Gea has been in great form over the last 2 seasons and is the club’s undisputed first choice. Valdes would add serious competition for the 23 year old which would force the young goalkeeper to be on his toes in order to keep his starting spot. Lindegaard is unlikely to be offered a new contract which means he could become a free agent in January.
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