Lindegaard sweats over Euro place

Posted Saturday, May 19, 2012 by ESPN

Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard has been left sweating on his Euro 2012 place after Denmark coach Morten Olsen failed to name a full 23-man squad.

Instead, Olsen selected just 20 players and named only two goalkeepers, leaving Lindegaard to prove his fitness after the ankle injury he sustained at the beginning of February which ruled him out of first-team duties for the remainder of the season.

"We will look at Lindegaard when we have a chance and after that we'll make a decision," Olsen told reporters at a press conference.

"However, we must be thorough and have respect for the other players, not bringing ones that are half-injured."

Lindegaard is hopeful of making it having featured in a couple of reserve team matches at the end of the season and on Tuesday playing in Harry Gregg's testimonial match in Belfast.

And, prior to his departure, Lindegaard said he felt good again.

"I want to represent my country at the Euros," he told MUTV.

"I will support the team, whether it is from the pitch, in the stands or on TV.

"But the last couple of weeks was a target to get fit for that. Now I am at a point where I am fit and I am ready to go."

This latest concern continues a strange season for Lindegaard.

Although he repeatedly amused with his declaration he had not arrived at Old Trafford from Norwegian side Aalesund "just to pick my nose", it did appear he would be condemned to life as a second choice after David de Gea arrived from Atletico Madrid last summer.

However, De Gea's patchy form offered Lindegaard a route into Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team plans and he was on a run of six appearances in seven games before he suffered his injury in training.

"It has been a strange season," said the 28-year-old.

"On one side I have won a lot of respect. I put my name in people's minds and people take me seriously now.

"If you look at it completely objectively, it has been the best season I ever had even though I only played 10 or 15 games.

"On the same level, it has been very frustrating with the injury and the time out. It is an awkward feeling."

The spin-off for missing Euro 2012 for Lindegaard would be that he plays a full part in pre-season for United, which may be vital given De Gea is set for an Olympic call-up by Spain.

"Being first choice at Manchester United is something I dreamed of since my first memories," he said.

"It gives you a feeling of self-confidence and is a feeling only one other Dane has had.

"Having had that feeling also gives me a target to aim for.

"As long as the opportunity is there I will always pursue it. That is the target in my life, to get this feeling back."