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Anders Lindegaard has claimed his rivalry with fellow goalkeeper David De Gea is helpful for Manchester United.

Lindegaard, recalled for United's 3-2 win at Southampton after De Gea was dropped following a clanger against Fulham, said the competition between the pair was just what Sir Alex Ferguson needed.

Ferguson has yet to make up his mind over which of his keepers will start against Wigan on Saturday, although De Dea, ostensibly United's No.1, is expected to be recalled after his brief exile.

Asked if the rivalry had affected his friendship with De Gea, Lindegaard said: "Not at all. I can say, with hand on heart, not at all.

"I have a very good relationship with David. We are very good friends.

"I have a lot of respect for him and I feel he has a lot of respect for me too. So it doesn't affect us at all.

"I would say it's more the opposite - we support each other very much.

"From the first day he came to the club, we have both been telling each other, 'I think you can try to solve this situation in a different way.'"

Lindegaard, speaking on the Red Voices podcast, added: "We always try and guide each other. I'm a bit older than him and he's a bit more experienced than me in terms of playing games. So we can help each other in a lot of things.

"I think the whole environment created for us by Eric Steele [United's goalkeeping coach] is very good.

"I'm sure it's not an easy job to have two qualified keepers who both want to play as No.1.

"Obviously, there can only be one so it's not an easy job to keep us both happy, keep us both motivated and keep our character where we want to play for him and perform for him, as we want to perform for the manager."