Leeds United icon Lucas Radebe has opened up on the moment he was chosen to pull on the goalkeeper shirt in a famous trip to Old Trafford.
Lucas Radebe is one of Leeds’ modern icons, having served the club with distinction over more than a decade in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The man known as the Chief served up several famous moments during his time at Elland Road, including a dramatic late goal against Spartak Moscow, as he became a firm fan favourite.
However, one of Radebe’s most notorious displays in a Leeds shirt came away at Old Trafford in the Premier League, when the defender was forced to go in goal after a red card to Mark Beeney.
Now, Radebe has explained why he was given the nod, as he produced a more-than-competent display between the sticks.
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Lucas Radebe opens up on goalkeeping heroics v Manchester United
For Leeds fans of a certain vintage, the sight of Radebe in a hilariously oversized goalkeeper’s shirt is one of the defining images of the 1990s.
Leeds had gambled coming into the game by naming no goalkeeper on the bench and, when Beeney received a red card for handling outside the box, that gamble spectacularly backfired.
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Speaking to LUTV, Radebe explained that his history as a goalkeeper in youth football meant that he got the nod to don the number one shirt and write another chapter in his history as a Leeds legend.
“I think we mess around sometimes in training, you know, when we come into training, and we change, we go in goal and stuff like that,” Radebe said.
“We didn’t have a reserve goalkeeper. And I remember when it happened because we’re all watching the game. I mean, this is at Old Trafford, you know, when it’s the biggest rivalry.
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The Chief was a man of many talents
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“So when Beeno got sent off, I was just covered by a jersey. So when I pulled it off, it was a green jersey. And you could see how big it was. It was massive as well. So, just nothing to lose. You know, I’ve done that before. And then, you know, it was for me just to go in there to enjoy the game, to be honest.
“Everybody expected a few goals, but I was confident enough. And I think even the confidence of letting me go in goal gave me that impetus.”
Lucas Radebe nearly helped Leeds United pull off an unlikely result
There is always a sense of anxiety when an outfield player goes in goal, and with Manchester United chasing the title, the stage appeared set for a heavy Leeds defeat.
Although the home side eventually secured the win through a solitary Roy Keane goal, Radebe helped keep the scoreline respectable.
Lucas Radebe of Leeds United
26 Sep 2000: Lucas Radebe of Leeds United in action during the UEFA Champions League Group H match against Besiktas played at Elland Road, in Leeds, England. Leeds United won the match 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Phil Cole /Allsport
A young Andy Gray had two long-range efforts saved before Radebe dived low to save from Brian McClair. He then watched a strike from former Leeds man Eric Cantona flash over the bar.
There was little Radebe could do about the winner, as Keane fired home in the second half. But the Chief had done enough to write his name into Leeds folklore with a creditable display between the posts.
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