Anders Lindegaard has sent a clear-cut message to one Erik ten Hag signing that there is “no magic formula” for overcoming pressure at Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Anders Lindegaard to Old Trafford in 2010 after he signed him from Norwegian side Aalesund for a fee believed to be around £3.5m.
Lindegaard initially offered competition at Old Trafford for Manchester United legend David de Gea, who would arrive at the Red Devils from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
David de Gea endured a tough start to life at Old Trafford and Lindegaard secured his opportunities between the sticks amid the 33-year-old Spaniard’s struggles.
However, the former Spain international ultimately secured his place as United’s No 1 and Lindegaard struggled to displace De Gea from his starting XI spot.
Lindegaard made 29 appearances during his time at Old Trafford before he left United in 2015 and went on to sign for West Brom.
Lindegaard on Ten Hag signing
David de Gea became a mainstay at Manchester United until his departure at the end of the 2022-23 Premier League season.
The United legend, who made his long-awaited return to football with Fiorentina in the summer, left the club as a free agent after talks over a new deal broke down.
Erik ten Hag was reunited with Andre Onana as De Gea’s replacement in 2023, with the Cameroonian shot-stopper previously playing under the United boss at Ajax.
Signed from Inter Milan in a deal worth £47.2m, United No 1 Andre Onana initially faced a tough start to life at Old Trafford during the 2023-24 campaign.
The 28-year-old former Ajax and Inter Milan star was met with heavy criticism for his lack of consistency last season, including his howlers in the Champions League.
Ten Hag kept faith with Onana amid the wave of criticism that the Cameroon international received, with the United star now in his second season at the club.
Speaking to The Sun, Anders Lindegaard said: “Onana has come back from a difficult start and now he is doing a lot better.
“But there’s no magic formula to overcome that pressure. That is the job. The job is to handle that pressure.
“If you can’t do it, or you won’t do it, the job is not for you.”
Onana more confident now at Man Utd
Andre Onana hasn’t convinced everyone that he is the right fit to replace De Gea at Old Trafford, but the United No 1 is keen to solidify his presence at the club.
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Onana had warned United fans that he would “take a lot of risks” in his second season at Old Trafford and urged them to “trust” him.
“Yes, that’s me,” he said, before adding: “And I think it’s what you’re going to see this season because I will take a lot of risks.
“I can tell you in advance already. Be prepared because it’s going to be this season, trust me. I will enjoy it even more when this season starts.”
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