Shay Given has explained why he turned down the opportunity to sign for Manchester United after being invited on trial by Sir Alex Ferguson in 1991.
Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t have the best of records signing goalkeepers, especially when the legendary Manchester United manager was tasked with replacing Peter Schmeichel after winning the Treble in 1999.
The Red Devils went from Schmeichel to signing Mark Bosnich, Massimo Taibi, and Fabien Barthez.
It wasn’t until Edwin van der Sar joined from Fulham in 2005 that Ferguson was fully satisfied with his goalkeeper following spells with Tim Howard and Roy Carroll between the sticks.
Luckily, when Van der Sar retired, United were quick to identify a suitable replacement as David de Gea went on to spend 12 years at Old Trafford.
There was also a feeling of regret for not signing Van der Sar earlier in his career.
Shay Given playing against Manchester United
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Shay Given signed for Celtic over Man Utd
As a goalkeeper, it would have been a daunting task to sign for United while Schmeichel was the first choice.
Schmeichel was the best goalkeeper in the world, but that also meant there was a push factor involved whenever United tried to strengthen their goalkeeper department.
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Former Newcastle and Man City goalkeeper Shay Given has explained that Sir Alex Ferguson invited him over for trials, but he snubbed the opportunity to sign for the club because of Schmeichel.
Given received advice from his dad at the time, with the view that he would have a better chance of getting into the Celtic team.
“I was training with these guys,” Given said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.
“They won’t remember this. I was on trial at Man United as a kid as a goalkeeper.
“Sir Alex brought me over and it came down to a choice between Celtic and Man United, and I chose Celtic because of Peter Schmeichel.
“I mentioned this before. Back then Packie Bonner was coming to the end of his career.
“I chose Celtic basically because, Peter Schmeichel was at 33/34, Schmeichel was in his prime and my dad said the best chance of getting into the first team will be at Celtic before Man United.”
The ex-Republic of Ireland stopper went on to sign for Celtic in 1991, but never made a senior appearance for the club.
Schmeichel didn’t leave United until 1999, and by that time, Given was starting games for Newcastle, where he spent 12 years before moving to Man City.
He went on to become one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League during his time at St. James’ Park.
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Shay Given record against Man Utd
Given played against United 26 times throughout his career.
The Irish keeper represented four different clubs against the Red Devils, including Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle, City, Aston Villa and Stoke City.
Given won just two matches versus United and was on the receiving end of a defeat 19 times.
He conceded a total of 64 goals against United.