Peter Schmeichel hit the ground running at United(Image: Getty Images)

Man Utd star showed what he was really like with actions in first training session

Peter Schmeichel was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1991 and went on to become a Manchester United legend - but the Danish shot-stopper made his intentions clear in his very first training session

by · The Mirror

Peter Schmeichel has spoken about a bold moment during his first training session with Manchester United.

The Danish goalkeeper joined the Red Devils in 1991, having previously played for Gladsaxe-Hero, Hvidovre, and Brondby. And rather than being intimidated by the prospect of training with esteemed players and coaches, Schmeichel made his intentions clear from the start.

In an interview with The Overlap with SkyBet, the goalkeeper 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."

Schmeichel went on to discuss that he had just completed an intense 18-month period of physical training with his coach at Brondby, leaving him extremely fit. As a result, when Brian Kidd suggested an easy start to training, Schmeichel was determined to join the more challenging group.

He said: "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," reports the Manchester Evening News.

"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." That defiant stand helped shape his illustrious career at United.

Schmeichel was a fierce shot-stopper in his day( Image: Daily Mirror)

During his time at Old Trafford, Schmeichel wrote his name into United's folklore. He amassed 388 games for the Red Devils, maintained 180 clean sheets, clinched five Premier League crowns, nabbed three FA Cups, lifted four Charity Shields, took home a European Super Cup, a League Cup, and triumphed in a Champions League.

He's even celebrated for scoring during a dramatic UEFA League match against SC Rotor Volgograd in 1995. Standing tall in the box, Schmeichel scored an unforgettable header to rescue a 2-1 down United with an 88th-minute goal. He closed his chapter at Manchester United in 1999 with a move to Sporting CP, before returning to the English top flight with Aston Villa. He ultimately finished his playing days at Manchester City in the 2002/03 season.

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