“Sean Dyche has made one obvious lesson very clear to me,” says former Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard. “An ugly lesson. Football owes you nothing!”

The Dane, who is a free agent after being released by Burnley at the end of the season, says he has “felt how warm it is on the top and how cold and lonely it is at the bottom.”

It has given him perspective – from following in the footsteps of his countryman and idol Peter Schmeichel at Old Trafford, to experiencing first hand United’s dramatic decline after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

His journey has taken him from the Champions League to the Championship with Preston and then Turf Moor where last season he found himself competing with three England internationals before his eventual release.

It is all far removed from when he was genuinely challenging David de Gea to be Edwin van der Sar’s successor at United, before a freak training ground accident handed his rival an advantage from which he never looked back.

Lindegaard, now 35, is frank about his relationship with the man who went on to establish himself as arguably the best goalkeeper in the world – and is currently holding out to be made the highest-paid No1 of all-time as he enters the final year of his contract at United.

“I signed in the winter transfer window,” he remembers of his move from Aalesund in 2011. “It was six months before Edwin stopped. They told me at the time that they were going to sign a big name when Edwin stopped.

“Sir Alex told me the list of keepers they were looking at, but I don’t remember who was on it. Except for David.

“I was up for any challenge, but I hoped it was going be David. He was young and looked skinny from what I had seen. I thought to myself he could struggle. And I was right.”

What was the relationship like between two young men, both with ambitions of being United’s first choice?

"He was in a terrible position from the first game. He didn’t have anything in the bank except for a big price tag. He was young and un-adapted to physical football. The pressure on him was enormous.

I just had to stay focused and wait for my chance. I got it and I took it.

It all sounds extremely cynical. But football is cynical. So from my point of view I have to think of my own life and my own career. If I don’t think about myself no one will.

I was never hoping for David to fail. Or anyone else for that matter. But I’ve always hoped for my own fortune.

David and I had a great relationship both on and off the pitch. I’d go for dinner with him and his family. And we’d help each other the best we could on the pitch. But if I was asked to choose between him being successful and me being successful I’d choose myself.

That first season ended for me when I got my ankle stuck in a plastic mannequin in training. I cried like a child when it happened. An injury that will haunt me in my grave.

I was side-lined for six months and David flourished.”

What are your thoughts about the goalkeeper he has developed into?

“David has been a world class goalkeeper since he arrived in England. My first impression of him was he was young, but a huge talent. Much bigger talent than I ever was.

He didn’t really have any obvious weaknesses. Except for his size. He was skinny. Like a straw waving in the wind. But it didn’t take him long to grow big.

His kicking was good. He was a natural, great shot-stopper. And his timing on crosses was brilliant.

He got way too much grief in the beginning on the crosses part of his game. He wasn’t as dodgy as people made him out to be. He just had to adjust his decision making to English football and grow a few kilos.

I think the biggest hurdle he had to overcome was to win respect from team mates, media and fans. He struggled in the beginning. But his mental strength to overcome the difficult periods is what has impressed me the most.

From where he was at the worst in his first season to where he took it and is today - that shows huge character and mental strength.

I clearly remember a turning point. The first game he played after my ankle injury was against Chelsea away. Last minute free kick just outside the box.

Juan Mata took it and shaped the ball perfectly over the wall towards the near top corner. David saved it and the match ended 3-3.

Breaking the save down it wasn’t as good as it looked. David gambled on that corner and won. If he had lost, the media and fans would have been ready to lynch him. Instead he became a sensation after that moment.”

Do you think we are at the point where a goalkeeper of his standard could/should be the highest paid player at a club?

“I’ve always seen the goalkeeper as one of the most important positions on the pitch. But it’s not until recently that people have realised this.

Ederson holds a good part of that credit because his style and presence changed Manchester City radically.

Ederson is an absolute cornerstone in City’s offence. Without a doubt one of the most important players in the team. And I can’t see the argument for paying him less than the other star players. He deserves it.”

As a Dane, how much of an influence was Peter Schmeichel on you?

“Peter was a big inspiration to me when I was a kid. One of the reasons why I wanted to be a goalkeeper. I have huge respect for what he has achieved. Playing football.

He never owed me anything and wasn’t any support to me once I came to England. It’s true what they say - never meet your idols.”

How do you think he would fare today, given the rise of the sweeper-keeper?

“He was a rather old fashioned goalkeeper. His biggest strengths were making world class saves and his presence. He also had a modern twist with his long throw.

In his time, he was rightly chosen the best goalkeeper in the world.

The best goalkeepers today are more known for not making errors than big saves. That’s the opposite of how I remember Peter.”

It feels like Pep Guardiola’s arrival in the Premier League has prompted a change in how we view goalkeepers. Do the likes of Ederson represent what it is to be a top keeper in the modern age?

"Pep is for me the first manager who really acknowledges the goalkeeper as a key player in offence. He did it in Barcelona, Bayern Munich and he’s doing it now in City.

To me it’s completely obvious. The goalkeeper is the biggest difference between Pep’s first year in England and now.

The solution was Ederson. Sure - he’s solid and makes good saves. But it’s his feet that makes him sensational.

But Ederson and Allisson will keep being the exception.

For a league like the Premier League you’ll have two to four clubs being good at playing extreme possession involving the goalkeeper. The rest of the clubs will have to try to destroy that possession.

And in that calculation a goalkeeper’s ability to save and pick crosses is always going to be more valuable than being good at playing with his feet.

I always asked myself - could Victor Valdes at his best in Barcelona be one of the best goalkeepers in the world if he played for let’s say Burnley? I very much doubt that.

What were Ferguson’s demands of a goalkeeper?

“I’m not sure how much the boss knows about goalkeepers from a technical point of view.

But he had a clear football philosophy which incorporated the goalkeeper offensively. He wanted his goalkeeper to be good with his feet. Someone who could keep the energy alive so everything didn’t die every time the goalie got it.”

Robin van Persie famously took Ferguson’s retirement hard. What are your memories of that time?

“Everyone in the club was affected by it. I think for most players working for Sir Alex almost ended up a blessing and a curse.

Being a part of his team is a dream for every football player. The way things worked under Alex Ferguson will always be the ideal for me.

And it’s my feeling many of his former players feel the same.

That’s the blessing.

The curse is when you’ve experienced what we did you’ll often end up comparing a new scenario to that. And new scenarios will more often than not fall short.”

David Moyes claimed he inherited an ageing squad and Louis van Gaal then made sweeping changes. Was that fair?

“I didn’t feel it ageing. It felt more like we just couldn’t adjust to a new way of life.

It seemed like trying to charge an iPhone with a Nokia charger. It just slowly went flat.

Who was ever going to lift the club after the boss?

Moyes and everyone with big influence on United have all been easy targets. And I refuse to be another one pointing at individuals.

Every time the team has had a single bad result I’ve heard suggestions for new managers, getting rid of half the team and signing new players. I imagine it isn’t easy to work under those circumstances.

I’ll point at myself and everyone else involved with United. Both on a professional and an emotional level. We were all to blame.

None of us could accept changes to our beloved United. All of us thought everything should just stay the same and we’d carry on succeeding.

It was an illusion.”

You left when Van Gaal was in charge. How did you find him personally?

I liked Van Gaal as a human being. I had a great relationship with him and wish I still had contact with him.

We had our differences and I haven’t had a manager I had more discussions with than him. But for me he always listened and respected opinions. Even if he rarely changed his own opinions.

Many people have said he loved being the centre of attention, but I don’t think that’s true. He was just flamboyant and at times a bit lost in translation.

And when you’re flamboyant, lost in translation and have one of the most powerful positions in the entertainment industry, you’ll end up as centre of attention whether you want it or not.

One can disagree with Van Gaal’s methods. They were extreme for United from what we had been used to. But I always thought he was a good human being and I respect that. I think that’s important.”

What did United do wrong post-Ferguson? Was there a manager who would have been perfect to take the reins?

“I think everyone is still to this day realising what Sir Alex was and did.

I don’t think anyone could have taken over and carried the club on with the same success.

It seems to me like the club needed change and modernisation. And I can imagine it’s been hard for the club to realise that.

United is tradition and history. Tradition and history is hard to change. Especially when it’s as long and successful as United.

The Man Utd players who should leave… and the ones they cannot lose 27 show all The Man Utd players who should leave… and the ones they cannot lose 1/27 Our Manchester Football Correspondent James Robson considers which Man Utd players should leave this summer… 2/27 David de Gea Can United really afford to risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season. If he won’t sign a new deal this summer, it might be time to cash in.



VERDICT: Sell (if he doesn’t sign) Getty Images 3/27 Sergio Romero Probably the best reserve keeper in the Premier League. Never lets United down – and would have a case to be No1 if De Gea goes.



VERDICT: Keep PA 4/27 Lee Grant Third choice keeper, who allows the highly-rated Joel Pereira to get experience on loan.



VERDICT: Keep Manchester United via Getty Images 5/27 Joel Pereira There are great hopes for him, but needs regular game-time to establish himself.



VERDICT: Loan AFP/Getty Images 6/27 Victor Lindelof One of United’s most improved players this season and someone Solskjaer should look to make the bedrock of his rebuild. Needs a top class partner to bring the best out of him.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 7/27 Eric Bailly So much hope for him when he arrived, but a debilitating injury record, along with his rash decision-making have curtailed his progress.



VERDICT: Sell Man Utd via Getty Images 8/27 Phil Jones Just signed a new long-term contract – and despite widespread derision, remains a valuable squad member.



VERDICT: Keep Man Utd via Getty Images 9/27 Chris Smalling Like Jones, eyebrows were raised when he was handed a new deal, but has impressed alongside Lindelof and remains an effective option.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 10/27 Marcos Rojo Woeful injury record and has failed to convince on the increasingly rare occasions he makes it onto the pitch. Long contract and high wages make him difficult to offload.



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 11/27 Ashley Young His form has fallen off a cliff since signing his new contract recently. Can only be considered as back-up full back next season.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 12/27 Diogo Dalot Has shown promise – particularly as an attacking option this season – but remains raw defensively. United’s interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka points to his failure to establish himself.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 13/27 Antonio Valencia Out of contract and on the way out. It has been a miserable final chapter for the winger-turned-right back as a virtual spectator this season.



VERDICT: Release AFP/Getty Images 14/27 Luke Shaw Has probably enjoyed his most consistent season. Still developing and should establish himself as one of the best left backs in Europe, given his natural talent.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 15/27 Matteo Darmian There’s an argument to say he’d be better back-up Young. But United could get decent money for a player who has rarely been anything other than a fringe member of the squad.



VERDICT: Sell PA 16/27 Ander Herrera He’s out of contract and on his way to Paris Saint-Germain. Would have been worth keeping – but not on a weekly wage of around £200,000-a-week.



VERDICT: Release Getty Images 17/27 Paul Pogba He’s not consistent enough, but he’s a player to build the team around. At his best, he’s proven he’s world class – he just needs the quality around him.



VERDICT: Keep PA 18/27 Juan Mata United have never seen the player who was so effective for Chelsea. Had his moments, but just too slow to fit in with Solskjaer’s plans. Out of contract, it’s time to go.



VERDICT: Release REUTERS 19/27 Andreas Pereira United have triggered a one-year extension on his contract, so now it’s up to him to prove he deserves a longer deal.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 20/27 Fred So far his greatest contribution to United has been the fact that his name conveniently fits into ‘Ole’s at the wheel.’ By any reasonable measure, you’d be looking to sell on the basis of his first season, but Solskjaer can’t get rid of everyone.



VERDICT: Keep (for now) Getty Images 21/27 Nemanja Matic Looks to be in decline and turns 31 in August. Can do a job, but questionable whether he can be a regular starter next season.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 22/27 Scott McTominay Has shown glimpses of the potential United’s coaches have long seen in him. Definitely a decent option next season, if not yet ready to be part of Solskjaer’s strongest midfield.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 23/27 Jesse Lingard Has made his critics eat their words. Fast, good touch, eye for goal and versatile – he offers so much to United’s attack and is only likely to get better.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 24/27 Alexis Sanchez His move from Arsenal has been little short of a disaster. An injury-plagued campaign haven’t helped – but he’s looked miles off the pace whenever he’s stepped onto the pitch.



United desperately need to find someone to take him off their hands – but on £450,000-a-week…



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 25/27 Romelu Lukaku Still has a decent strike rate and will take some replacing – but he just doesn’t fit Solskjaer’s system.



United would hope to get close to the £75m he cost them – but how far will that money go when it comes to finding a striker good enough to lead their attack?



VERDICT: Sell AFP/Getty Images 26/27 Marcus Rashford Has established himself as Solskjaer’s leading man – but desperately needs to improve his finishing and decision making. So much and technique on the ball, but doesn’t look like a natural goal-scorer yet.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 27/27 Anthony Martial For a spell this season he looked every bit the heir to Thierry Henry that he was once considered. But Solskjaer has rarely been able to get a tune out of him and is frustrated by his failure to score ugly goals. Still, he has tremendous potential.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 1/27 Our Manchester Football Correspondent James Robson considers which Man Utd players should leave this summer… 2/27 David de Gea Can United really afford to risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season. If he won’t sign a new deal this summer, it might be time to cash in.



VERDICT: Sell (if he doesn’t sign) Getty Images 3/27 Sergio Romero Probably the best reserve keeper in the Premier League. Never lets United down – and would have a case to be No1 if De Gea goes.



VERDICT: Keep PA 4/27 Lee Grant Third choice keeper, who allows the highly-rated Joel Pereira to get experience on loan.



VERDICT: Keep Manchester United via Getty Images 5/27 Joel Pereira There are great hopes for him, but needs regular game-time to establish himself.



VERDICT: Loan AFP/Getty Images 6/27 Victor Lindelof One of United’s most improved players this season and someone Solskjaer should look to make the bedrock of his rebuild. Needs a top class partner to bring the best out of him.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 7/27 Eric Bailly So much hope for him when he arrived, but a debilitating injury record, along with his rash decision-making have curtailed his progress.



VERDICT: Sell Man Utd via Getty Images 8/27 Phil Jones Just signed a new long-term contract – and despite widespread derision, remains a valuable squad member.



VERDICT: Keep Man Utd via Getty Images 9/27 Chris Smalling Like Jones, eyebrows were raised when he was handed a new deal, but has impressed alongside Lindelof and remains an effective option.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 10/27 Marcos Rojo Woeful injury record and has failed to convince on the increasingly rare occasions he makes it onto the pitch. Long contract and high wages make him difficult to offload.



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 11/27 Ashley Young His form has fallen off a cliff since signing his new contract recently. Can only be considered as back-up full back next season.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 12/27 Diogo Dalot Has shown promise – particularly as an attacking option this season – but remains raw defensively. United’s interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka points to his failure to establish himself.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 13/27 Antonio Valencia Out of contract and on the way out. It has been a miserable final chapter for the winger-turned-right back as a virtual spectator this season.



VERDICT: Release AFP/Getty Images 14/27 Luke Shaw Has probably enjoyed his most consistent season. Still developing and should establish himself as one of the best left backs in Europe, given his natural talent.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 15/27 Matteo Darmian There’s an argument to say he’d be better back-up Young. But United could get decent money for a player who has rarely been anything other than a fringe member of the squad.



VERDICT: Sell PA 16/27 Ander Herrera He’s out of contract and on his way to Paris Saint-Germain. Would have been worth keeping – but not on a weekly wage of around £200,000-a-week.



VERDICT: Release Getty Images 17/27 Paul Pogba He’s not consistent enough, but he’s a player to build the team around. At his best, he’s proven he’s world class – he just needs the quality around him.



VERDICT: Keep PA 18/27 Juan Mata United have never seen the player who was so effective for Chelsea. Had his moments, but just too slow to fit in with Solskjaer’s plans. Out of contract, it’s time to go.



VERDICT: Release REUTERS 19/27 Andreas Pereira United have triggered a one-year extension on his contract, so now it’s up to him to prove he deserves a longer deal.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 20/27 Fred So far his greatest contribution to United has been the fact that his name conveniently fits into ‘Ole’s at the wheel.’ By any reasonable measure, you’d be looking to sell on the basis of his first season, but Solskjaer can’t get rid of everyone.



VERDICT: Keep (for now) Getty Images 21/27 Nemanja Matic Looks to be in decline and turns 31 in August. Can do a job, but questionable whether he can be a regular starter next season.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 22/27 Scott McTominay Has shown glimpses of the potential United’s coaches have long seen in him. Definitely a decent option next season, if not yet ready to be part of Solskjaer’s strongest midfield.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 23/27 Jesse Lingard Has made his critics eat their words. Fast, good touch, eye for goal and versatile – he offers so much to United’s attack and is only likely to get better.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 24/27 Alexis Sanchez His move from Arsenal has been little short of a disaster. An injury-plagued campaign haven’t helped – but he’s looked miles off the pace whenever he’s stepped onto the pitch.



United desperately need to find someone to take him off their hands – but on £450,000-a-week…



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 25/27 Romelu Lukaku Still has a decent strike rate and will take some replacing – but he just doesn’t fit Solskjaer’s system.



United would hope to get close to the £75m he cost them – but how far will that money go when it comes to finding a striker good enough to lead their attack?



VERDICT: Sell AFP/Getty Images 26/27 Marcus Rashford Has established himself as Solskjaer’s leading man – but desperately needs to improve his finishing and decision making. So much and technique on the ball, but doesn’t look like a natural goal-scorer yet.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 27/27 Anthony Martial For a spell this season he looked every bit the heir to Thierry Henry that he was once considered. But Solskjaer has rarely been able to get a tune out of him and is frustrated by his failure to score ugly goals. Still, he has tremendous potential.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images

A modern football club needs a philosophy that’s defined by the club - not the manager. In terms of football you need to have a clear idea what a United player and a United team is. That responsibility should be on the club - not the manager.

Otherwise you end up buying a new team every time you change the manager.

It’s not a one-man job. Only for Sir Alex because he defined the club.

Maybe the club did have a clear strategy and philosophy on football. But looking at it from the outside it hasn’t been clear.

The business side of the club seems to have been taken well care of. But at the end of the day it’s the football side that’s the foundation. If you don’t make sure the foundation is solid the business will slowly crumble.”

Is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the right man?

“I think he is. I deeply hope so. United’s history is so rich and successful. And I think the club and the fans need someone who speaks to the history.

Someone who understands it and complies with it. I don’t doubt Ole has come in to carry on the United heritage and stay true to the United DNA. And he can do that because he knows it and is a part of it himself.

But there’s a crucial ingredient I’m afraid will be difficult to accept. And that’s time.

Realistically it will take years to rebuild United for greatness. Look at how long it took Liverpool.

For Ole to be successful in the long term I think everyone will have to embrace themselves with patience and accept the current state.

There’s a massive job ahead of him and no matter how you twist and turn it I think his success depends on how well the club helps him. Especially on recruitment.”