'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester United have had some fabulous goalkeepers in their teams over the years. Whenever you think of great goalkeepers in the Premier League era, you think of Peter Schmeichel. The Dane was the backbone of Sir Alex Ferguson's first great team at Manchester United and achieved legendary status at Old Trafford.
Edwin van der Saar joined United in 2006 and went on to win almost everything that was on offer, etching his name among the greatest goalkeepers in the Premier League and indeed in the whole world. And right now, David De Gea is also one of the greatest of the game and has already become a part of the United folklore. He has been the best player at Manchester United for a few years now and fans adore him like family.
However, United's tryst with goalkeepers has not always been easy. Incidentally, replacing Peter Schmeichel turned out to be a big headache for Sir Alex, before he ultimately zeroed in on Van der Saar. Sir Alex ultimately learned from his mistake and shortlisted De Gea to replace the Dutchman when he retired.
As such, today we look at 4 current goalkeepers who arrived at the club with big expectations, failed to like up to the promise and had to finally move on. All of them won Silverware during their time at Old Trafford, yet you could be forgiven for forgetting that these 4 used to play for Manchester United. Read on to find out more.
#4 Tim Howard
The American International joined Manchester United from New York Red Bulls on 1st July 2003. He was originally signed to replace Fabian Barthez, who was loaned out to Marseille in the winter. Howard appeared 44 times for Manchester United that season, as United ended the season 3rd in the Premier League, but won the Community Shield as well as the FA Cup.
Howard managed 17 clean sheets in all competitions, with 12 of those in the Premier League. The next season, his form took a dip, and Roy Carroll was preferred to him between the sticks, but the American still managed to secure 12 clean sheets from his 27 appearances and won the League Cup with United.
As United finally signed Edwin van der Saar on 1st July 2005, Howard saw his chances diminish and made just 6 appearances in all competitions that season. He ultimately moved to Everton, initially on loan on 1st July 2006, with the deal made permanent the next year.
The American went to have a long and fruitful career at Everton, appearing 414 times and even scoring 1 goal. His association with Everton was so long that people often tend to forget that Howard started out in the Premier League with Manchester United.
Tim Howard returned to the MLS from Everton, signing with Colorado Rapids on 4th July 2016 and it is where he currently plays his football, as their captain.
#3 Anders Lindegaard
United signed Anders Lindegaard on 6th January 2011, hoping that the Danish goalkeeper could replicate the form of a great Dane from their history. Edwin van der Saar was reaching the twilight of his career and had informed that club of his desire to retire at the end of the season.
Manchester United opted to bring in Lindegaard, but perhaps the Dane was never destined to be the first choice because the Red Devils had already shortlisted David De Gea as van der Saar's replacement.
As predicted, Lindegaard went on to make just 29 appearances for the club in 4 and a half seasons, however, he does have one Premier League and 2 Community Shield winner's medal in his possession.
He managed 13 clean sheets during his time at United, playing second fiddle to David De Gea since the Spaniard was signed in the summer of 2011. Lindegaard ultimately decided to move to greener pastures, joining West Bromwich Albion on 31st August 2015.
However, he failed to impress and joined Preston North End in January on loan. He joined Preston at the start of next season on a free transfer, before joining Burnley last season as a free agent last season, where he currently is the third choice behind Joe Hart and Captain Tom Heaton.
#2 Roy Carroll
On 27th July 2001, Roy Carroll joined Manchester United from Wigan Athletic as a back up for Fabien Barthez. The Northern Ireland International managed just 10 appearances in his first season and then 16 in his second, as he struggled to break into the first team.
When Tim Howard joined in the summer of 2003, Carroll had to make way for the American, who became the first choice keeper. However, a dip in the American's form in the 2004/05 season saw Carroll appear 34 times for United in what would be his last season. Yet, Carroll has what many players can only dream of - a Premier League winner's medal, along with an FA Cup and a Community Shield trophy to his name.
Carroll moved to West Ham from United on 1st July 2005, as United welcomed Edwin van der Saar to sort out their goalkeeping woes. From there, Carroll played for a number of clubs, including Rangers, Derby and Olympiacos, but never settled for more than two years at a club, until 2016, when he moved to Northern Ireland Football League side Linfield, where he currently is still playing.
#1 Tomasz Kuszczak
The Polish Goalkeeper first caught the eye of the Manchester United scouts in the 2005/06 season, when he played in the Premier League for West Brom. He earned himself a loan move to Old Trafford at the start of the next season and was impressive enough to turn that into a permanent deal on 2nd July 2007.
He began deputizing under the legendary Edwin van der Saar and was quite impressive on quite a few occasions. This included saving a penalty on debut against Arsenal, drawing comparisons to the Dutchman and even giving the impression that he would ultimately replace his mentor in a few years. However, things did not work out so well in the end.
United first signed Lindegaard and then brought in De Gea to replace van der Saar and Kuszczak moved to Watford on loan in February 2012. On July 2012, Kuszczak joined Brighton on a free transfer, playing for 2 years before leaving the club in the summer of 2014. He spent a few months as a free agent, before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in November 2014. In July 2015, he joined Birmingham City, where he currently plays his football.
Kuszczak appeared 61 times for Manchester United, and won 3 Premier League, 2 Football League Cups, 3 Community Shields, 1 UEFA Champions League and 1 FIFA Club World Cup! A trophy cabinet that would make any goalkeeper green in envy, yet few people will remember that Kuszczak played for the Red Devils.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
