toes until the last moment. He was equally confident claiming crosses and could set up wave after wave of attacks with his remarkable distribution, often bowling the ball 50 yards to a team-mate’s feet. And he was a threat up front, too! He holds the distinction of a European goal for the Reds to his credit, heading home against Rotor Volgograd in the UEFA Cup in 1995/96 to preserve the club’s then unbeaten home European record.

Schmeichel left United on the ultimate high. Captain in the absence of the suspended Roy Keane, he led the side to glory at the Nou Camp in the 1999 Champions League final. A truly inspirational figure, he remains

a familiar face in Manchester – and his son Kasper is a goalkeeper on City’s books.