Peter Schmeichel showed true colours with bold actions in first Man United training session

Peter Schmeichel has recalled a defiant moment on his first day of training with Manchester United.

The Danish shot-stopper crafted his trade at Gladsaxe-Hero, Hvidovre, and Brondby before being snapped up by the Red Devils in 1991. While many players would be intimidated about making the move to such a prestigious club featuring a number of well-respected players and coaches, the same cannot be said for Schmeichel - who made his intentions with the squad clear from day dot.

Speaking to Sky Bet, Schmeichel explained: "I used to have this conveyer belt – very much going through the same exercises then at the end of it you’ll have a game where you’re shooting against two goalkeepers and see who wins – young against old. My first training session [at Manchester United], we go to Littleton Road, and I’m prepared.

"I’ve just come through possibly the hardest 18 months physically that I’ve ever been through in my life with our coach at Brondby. I was so fit, pre-season for me was two and a half months of absolutely the hardest work you can imagine and then no life – just being tired, eating, sleeping, training.

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"I was ready for the running and everything so Kiddo [Brian Kidd] goes, ‘Right, let’s have an easy start’ and he goes, ‘And Peter, you can go with Gary Walsh, you can go over there and do some half-volleys. I was like, ‘No, I’m in the box’, and Palli [Gary Pallister], Robbo [Bryan Robson] were like, ‘No way’ and eventually I just went and stood in the older box.

"It was a moment of embarrassment for everyone really because they were thinking, ‘Who is this guy?’. I already did my bit with the goalkeeping coach and I’m part of the team, I wanted to be part of the team." The moment of defiance undoubtedly had an impact on Schmeichel's career, showing that he wouldn't settle for second-best at United.

The Dane went on to make 388 appearances for the Red Devils under Sir Alex Ferguson, keeping 180 clean sheets in total and winning five Premier League titles, three FA Cups, four Charity Shields, a European Super Cup, a League Cup and a Champions League. He also etched his name into greatness by scoring against SC Rotor Volgograd in a 1995 UEFA League tie at Old Trafford.

With United 2-1 down at the time thanks to goals from Vladimir Niedergaus and Oleg Veretennikov, with Paul Scholes giving United a glimmer of hope, Schmeichel stormed the Volograd box in the 88th minute, leaping high and connecting with a towering header to square the game in its dying moments.

Schmeichel ultimately parted ways with United in 1999, spending two years with Sporting CP before returning to the Premier League with Aston Villa. He then ended his career with Manchester City in the 2002/03 campaign.

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