www.red11.org DAILY NEWS
Date: Fri Nov 13 00:50:09 GMT+00:00 1998
Mail: barry@www.red11.org
This Issue:
1. £10m - that's price for Villa keeper as Schmeichel goes
2. Sad Schmeichel makes his most important save -
3. SOLSKJAER DOUBLE SINKS FOREST MANCHESTER UNITED 2 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1
4. United's strikers help Stam live up to world record fee
5. Schmeichel ready to quit Old Trafford -
6. Ferguson stands by reserves
7. Match Report - Independent
8. Thursday 12th Nov 1998 Schmeichel to quit United!! ««
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
Daily RED Trivia Fri 13th November:
13/11/1937: United win 7-1 at Chesterfield in a Division 2 game watched by 17,407,
with goals from Tommy Bamford 4, Harry Baird, Billy Bryant and Tom Manley.
Team was: Breedon, Redwood, Roughton, Brown, Vose, Whalley, Bryant,
Baird, Bamford, Pearson, Manley.
13/11/1958: Peter Coyne born in Hartlepool. An extremely prolific scorer at Reserves and
Junior level, Coyne made his senior bow at Leicester City in April 1976, scoring in
a 1-2 defeat. He was given only one more brief outing before finding his scoring touch
again at Crewe Alexandra and Swindon Town, where he notched more than 70 League goals.
************
Barry Daily Comment:
Friday 13th hits Man United today!
Peter Schmeichel has decided to leave at the ebd of the season.
Danes are maybe homesick but that is not the reason this time.
Peter knows he's finished, fitness is becoming a problem, this has gone to his head.
A brave decision just like Eric....
Next 3 games:
Result/Fixture Index:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/fix9899z.htm9
Sat 14/11 Blackburn (H) PL
Sat 21/11 Sheff Wed (A) PL15.00
Wed 25/11 Barcelona (A) CL 19.45
UNITED Stats v Blackburn:
http://www.red11.org/mufc/stats/vsblackburn.htm
*** TEAM RESULTS - MANCHESTER UNITED ***
Date Opposition Score Pos. Attend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
15/08/98 Leicester City Home D 2-2 11 55,052
22/08/98 West Ham United Away D 0-0 11 26,039
09/09/98 Charlton Athletic Home W 4-1 9 55,147
12/09/98 Coventry City Home W 2-0 5 55,193
20/09/98 Arsenal Away L 0-3 10 38,142
24/09/98 Liverpool Home W 2-0 3 55,181
03/10/98 Southampton Away W 3-0 2 15,251
17/10/98 Wimbledon Home W 5-1 2 55,265
24/10/98 Derby County Away D 1-1 2 30,867
31/10/98 Everton Away W 4-1 2 40,079
08/11/98 Newcastle United Home D 0-0 3 55,174
Champions League:
**Nov 4 Barcelona 1-2 Bayern Munich
**Nov 4 Man Utd 5-0 Brøndby
Group D P W D L F A Pts
Man United 4 2 2 0 16 7 8
Bayern Munich 4 2 1 1 6 5 7
Barcelona 4 1 1 2 6 6 4
Brondby 4 1 0 3 4 14 3
To be played:
Nov 25 Barcelona v Man Utd
Nov 25 Bayern Munich v Brøndby
Dec 9 Brøndby v Barcelona
Dec 9 Man Utd v Bayern Munich
++++++=========+++++++========+++++++++========++++++++
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: £10m - that's price for Villa keeper as Schmeichel goes
Friday, November 13, 1998
Mark Bosnich will cost Manchester United £10million if they decide he is the
man to replace Peter Schmeichel who announced yesterday that he intends to
quit Old Trafford.
That is the deal the Australia goalkeeper has already been offered by Roma and
which now leaves him confronting the biggest decision of his career.
Bosnich, first revealed by Sportsmail as Alex Ferguson's first choice to take
over from Denmark's Schmeichel, will become a free agent in the summer when
his contract expires with Aston Villa.
His Italian admirers want him to sign the kind of pre-contract which FIFA have
ratified for players in his situation.
Schmeichel, 34, will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season because he
feels the massive physical demands of playing for a club of United's stature will
ultimately diminish his ability.
The Dane's leaving date may be several months off, but manager Ferguson, who
was annoyed when Bosnich left United and returned to Australia because of
work permit problems six years ago, is already running out of time if he wants
to bring him back.
Roma are preparing the contract that would guarantee Bosnich's move to Serie
A. It would come into effect when the new FIFA ruling becomes operational on
January 1 of next year.
By leaving for Italy, Bosnich, 26, has been told that he would receive more than
£6m over a four-year term in addition to a £3m signing-on fee.
Those are the staggering figures which Ferguson, who has also been linked
with Ipswich's England Under 21 goalkeeper Richard Wright, is likely to have
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Sad Schmeichel makes his most important save -
a reputation as impressive as his giant frame
Friday, November 13, 1998
Peter Schmeichel never shirked a challenge as he built himself a reputation
with Manchester United that matched his giant frame.
But he finally admitted yesterday that there was one thing he couldn't stop - the
march of time - and, rather than allow his reputation to be eroded by the huge
physical demands of being Old Trafford's No.1, he announced his intention to
leave at the end of the season.
Schmeichel's departure will come as a traumatic wrench to him, but it could be
said that, by taking the decision, he has made the most important save of his
life - that of his dignity.
He has for seven years been considered one of the world's top three
goalkeepers but would rather relinquish his integral role at Manchester United
than throw that status away.
Status means so much to Schmeichel. It has long been a matter of great pride
to him that United boss Alex Ferguson puts his name first on the teamsheet for
others reasons than the fact that he wears the No.1.
Yet his legend has been called into question this season. The inauspicious way
he attempted to punch clear the ball with only a few moments left of United's
Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, which allowed the German
side an equaliser, suggested that his judgment may have become flawed.
There were also hints that during his side's 3-0 defeat this season by Arsenal,
the 34-year-old keeper, who has been suffering from a pulled stomach muscle,
displayed a lack of composure.
On neither occasion, however, did the manager who paid a mere £550,000 to
Brondby for the former carpetfitter and part-time centre forward criticise
Schmeichel in public. Rather, he will defend Schmeichel to the last because
the goalkeeper has long had the appearance of omnipotence.
But Schmeichel is no fool. Having firmly written his name in the Old Trafford
history books, as well as picking up over 100 caps for Denmark, he has
recognised that he would rather head off to Monaco or Marseille at the end of
the season than have his reputation slowly eroded by the demands of playing in
the Premiership and Champions League.
Schmeichel's ego would never allow him to let that happen. He has become a
victim of his own success and high standards. The demands on him, he clearly
believed, were threatening to cripple him, emotionally as well as physically.
The great Dane, flanked by Ferguson and Old Trafford chief executive Martin
Edwards and wearing a sombre grey suit to match the occasion that marked
the beginning of the end of his career in England, said yesterday: 'This has
been a tough decision because I have always said that Manchester United is
the ultimate place to play football. But it has been getting too much for me.
'If I stayed here I could maybe play for another two years at the top level but if I
move I could play for four or more years elsewhere because the demands are
not so great.
'I truly believe that if I can get a move somewhere else where there is more time
to prepare for games I can continue my career. I am finding that in England
there is not enough time for my preparation. We are playing two games a week
for most of the season and that makes it difficult for me to maintain the
standards you need to keep for a club of this stature.
'I would like to keep playing. I think I could play until the age of 40 but it would
not be possible in England because of the extra demands.
'I am sad to make this decision. I have been here for seven years and I feel that
I have done a great job. But it has been building up in my mind for a long time
because it has been getting harder and harder.'
The man who believed he would make his name as a striker - he played for
Danish club Hero in that position - has made 358 appearances and won 107
Danish caps as a goalkeeper. He was a member of his country's victorious
1992 European Championship side.
He has won four Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, one League cup, one
European Super Cup and four Charity Shields at Manchester United. He also
built the often bizarre, often comical, but often brilliant partnership with Steve
Bruce and Gary Pallister that gave Ferguson's side an impregnable air.
The triumvirate bickered their way through almost every game. Finger jabbing,
Anglo-Saxon exchanges that erupted every time Schmeichel, who has always
given the indication that he could do no wrong, felt that one or other of 'Dolly
and Daisy' had needlessly exposed him to pressure. At times it seemed they
might come to blows as Schmeichel ranted.
But the phlegmatic Pallister would simply turn his back to the noise, while
Bruce would show his contempt for the Scandinavian's opinions.
Ferguson, who brought in Schmeichel to replace Jim Leighton after he was left
out of the 1990 FA Cup Final replay against Crystal Palace, has never felt the
need to create a similar sensation by dispensing with the volatile and voluble
Viking.
The United manager, whom Schmeichel went to for advice before making his
decision, is clear in his admiration for him, saying: 'It is a sad day for the club
because Peter has been a massive influence in our success.
'Without a doubt, he is the best goalkeeper I have ever known in my playing or
managerial career and he ranks alongside the greats like Peter Shilton and
Gordon Banks.'
Now, just as he had to do when Eric Cantona stunned Old Trafford's adoring
legions by retiring in 1997, Ferguson must find a replacement. Mark Bosnich is
top of the list of candidates, having once been an Old Trafford player. But the
Australian will have a seriously hard act to follow.
Schmeichel insists he will not endanger the memory he will leave behind,
saying: 'Once I made my decision there was no turning back. I went to see the
chairman on the day after we qualified for the Champions League this season,
then I went to Alex Ferguson. They have both been supportive.
'But I need to train more than I have ever had to and I need more time between
games than I get in England. I certainly need more than 12 days holiday in the
summer. Unfortunately, the demands of the game here are so tough that it
means I cannot get the time I need, which is something I regret.'
Schmeichel, an accomplished musician who has installed his own recording
studio at his £400,000 Cheshire home and loves writing songs so much that he
has ambitions to release his own album, will have spent a lot of time
considering stepping out of one of the biggest arenas in world football.
The lure of centre stage has always been one which he could not resist.
Sometimes, his melodramatics have infuriated. There was the unsavoury clash
with Ian Wright that was alleged to have racial undertones. He was never the
best of friends with former colleague Paul Ince. On occasions his
tongue-lashings have appeared to embarrass his younger team-mates.
But his irascibility has always been matched by his qualities as the man for the
big occasion. He gloried in such scenes. Ferguson yesterday could only pay
homage, adding: 'Peter's decision is nothing to do with his form or injuries. He
just wants to get into an environment to avoid the rigours of the English game.
'He is the perfect professional and I totally accept his decision because I have
so much respect for him. There is no way we will be looking for a transfer fee for
him when the time comes for him to go.'
Schmeichel, with a nose that sometimes glowed so red that it appeared like a
fire alarm, may never have been an artist like Cantona. But while the
Frenchman won United games, the Dane saved them. Now he is saving his
reputation before it is too late.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Thursday 12 November 1998
Subject: SOLSKJAER DOUBLE SINKS FOREST MANCHESTER UNITED 2 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer proved there is nothing
second-string about him by cutting down
Nottingham Forest in the Worthington Cup tonight
to take a Manchester United reserves line-up
through to the last eight. The Norwegian
international, out of favour because of the form of
Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, scored twice in three
minutes to book United's place in the quarter-finals.
Once again Alex Ferguson fielded a team mostly of
reserves for the fourth round tie, but Solskjaer
demonstrated that he is sharp enough to cut it for
the first team. The 25-year-old, who scored in the
last round against Bury, was rampant in the second
half and was denied a hat-trick in the final minutes
when Dave Beasant touched a drive on to the bar.
Forest, without the luxury of a squad like United's,
fielded a virtual full-strength side, although bad boy
Pierre van Hooijdonk was named among the
substitutes because he reportedly had a head cold.
The much-maligned Old Trafford pitch, which had
been patched together following Sunday's goalless
draw against Newcastle, again started to cut up.
That made little difference to Forest's 19-year-old
striker Marlon Harewood, who quickly tore into the
home side. He showed Henning Berg a clean pair of
heels in the 10th minute, and it needed a fine stop
from Raimond van der Gouw, diving to his right, to
thwart him. Forest, next to bottom of the
Premiership and with just one win in normal time
from their last 10 games, continued to press and
van der Gouw made another good save at his near
post from Chris Bart-Williams' drive.
United were hardly pulling up any trees in the first
half, and their first shot on target did not come until
the 28th minute. At the other end Stone headed
just wide from Andy Gray's cross as Forest
continued to do most of the attacking. Van der
Gouw denied Forest again in the 33rd minute when
Scot Gemmill's shot hit his knee, although the
Dutchman seemed to know little about it.
United no doubt were given a rollicking by Ferguson
at the interval and in the second half they were a
totally different proposition. Cruyff twice shot wide
of the target in between a deflected Jonathan
Greening effort which Beasant magnificently
touched around the post. Greening then broke
down the left only for the former York striker to
shoot straight at Beasant.
United finally made the breakthrough in the 57th
minute when Cruyff played Solskjaer through with
a neat pass, and the Norwegian shot past Beasant.
Three minutes later it was 2-0 when Cruyff again
released Solskjaer on the left and he slotted home
his sixth goal of the season.
Forest responded by bringing on van Hooijdonk to
boos from the United supporters and Alan Rogers
almost hauled Forest back into the game with a
terrific 25-yard shot which van der Gouw tipped
over the bar. Stone threw the visitors a lifeline in
the 68th minute with a goal-of-the-season
contender which flew into the top-left corner of
Van der Gouw's goal from 30 yards out.
Forest had what looked like a strong penalty appeal
turned down when Rogers went down under a
challenge from Greening, and Solskjaer almost
completed his hat-trick when Beasant lost the ball in
the centre circle after he had raced out of his area,
but his long-range effort went just wide of the
unguarded goal. He was denied again in the dying
minutes when Beasant touched his drive on to the
bar, but he had already done enough to book
United's passage into the last eight.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: United's strikers help Stam live up to world record fee
By Jeremy Butler
MANCHESTER, England, Nov 12 - Manchester United's Jaap
Stam, the costliest defender in world football, is beginning to find his feet after a
shaky start in English soccer -- thanks to team mates Andy Cole and Dwight
Yorke.
For while Cole and Yorke terrorise opposing defences both at home and in Europe
every week-- they have also been terrorising Staam every day on the training
ground.
As a result the two strikers, who have scored 16 goals between them this season,
have helped improve Stam's performances -- and he has no complaints.
"I have to play against them every day in training and I would not have it any other
way. I think they are doing very well," said the 25-year-old Dutchman who joined
United for a world record fee for a defender of 10.75 million pounds ($18.0 million)
from PSV Eindhoven at the end of last season.
"Every day on the training ground you play against them and see their skills. They
are very difficult to defend against. I think they are a pest for every defence but
playing against them you can only improve yourself as well."
United fans may be concerned to hear a player who cost more than 10.0 million
pounds talk of the need to improve.
But after a less than confident start to his career in England following a less than
impressive series of performances in the World Cup for the Netherlands, Stam says
his daily work-outs with Cole and company are helping him restore his reputation as
a world class stopper with plenty of pace.
He admits that despite knowing all about the Reds after a life-long love affair with the
Old Trafford club, he was not prepared for the attention he received after joining in
the summer.
"When I played for PSV I obviously knew United were a big club but now I am here
you can see that everyone has an interest in Manchester United.
"That makes it such a great club to play for but also adds pressure. In England it is
harder not to be noticed because everybody lives for football here -- and a lot of
people have something to say to you."
It was not only life in a goldfish bowl that caused Stam a problematic start to his
United career.
A roasting from Arsenal's Nicolas Anelka in the Charity Shield in August was a rude
introduction, but Stam now looks back on that Wembley nightmare -- United lost
3-0 -- as a valuable lesson.
"Up to now Nicolas Anelka has been the trickiest player I've faced. He has that pace
that everyone talks about but is also a good player as well.
"It's not just his pace. But I came here to prove myself and to do that you want to
play against the best strikers in the world. Most of them are in the English game so
I feel I made the right decision in coming here."
Some recent commanding performances in the United backline are starting to win
over the critics too.
Off the field he has been helped by moving from his hotel to a new house with his
wife and baby daughter Lisa, and on the pitch the pairing with England full-back
Gary Neville in the heart of the United defence has helped his game.
He also believes adapting to the pace of the game in England has been harder than
he imagined.
"The speed of the game is faster and there is a lot more physical contact than in
Holland. At home there are games where you can rest but over here you have to
give 100 per cent to win each game.
"It has taken time to get used to it because it is different to what I am used to. In
the beginning I did find it a little bit hard but now I feel I am getting up to speed."
With Stam now finding his feet the whole United team look more confident as their
recent European thrashings of Brondby have proved.
And the defender is convinced that, with fortune, Alex Ferguson's side can win the
European Cup for the first time since 1968.
"I think we are capable of going a long way. We have a very good team that is very
strong and talented. If you look at the team I think we can get to the final, but only if
we have a bit of luck as well."
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Schmeichel ready to quit Old Trafford -
Day of turmoil for Premiership's big North West rivals
Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel has
called time on his career in English football because
he can no longer keep up with the demands of the
domestic game.
The Danish international will end his seven-year
association with Old Trafford at the end of the
season after the club agreed to release him from his
contract.
Schmeichel, 35 next Wednesday, has helped United
to 12 major honours since joining from Brondby in
August, 1991. But he revealed today that he does
not think he is able to cope with English football any
more.
"I'm enjoying the game as much as ever but it's
getting harder to keep pace," he said.
Troubled
"I need to train more than I have ever had to and in
order to prepare myself properly, I need more time
between games than I can get in England - I certainly
need more than 12 days' summer holiday.
Unfortunately, the demands of the game here mean
that I cannot get the time I need, which is something I
truly regret."
Schmeichel has been troubled by a back injury this
season, a problem which sidelined him for two
Premiership matches last month, but he explained he
made his decision several weeks ago.
United manager Alex Ferguson said: "Peter
Schmeichel has been a major player in the success
achieved by Manchester United over the past eight
years.
"He has been a model professional who has inspired
and influenced everyone with Manchester United.
"It is his professional attitude that has led him to
make this decision and whilst I know it has been a
difficult for Peter to make, I respect and fully support
him."
Speculation had linked Schmeichel with a move to
Marseille in time for next season but he insisted he
was yet to decide on his immediate future.
He added: "It is important that I am now allowed to
concentrate totally on playing for United.
"I have had a fantastic career with United and I owe
it to the club, players and fans to do everything I can
to finish on a successful note."
• Leeds United winger Lee Sharpe has been
transfer-listed and told that he does not figure in new
manager David O'Leary's plans.
Sharpe spent all last season out with knee trouble
and has started only three games this season. He was
Leeds' record buy when Howard Wilkinson paid
Manchester United £4.5million for him in the summer
of 1996.
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Ferguson stands by reserves
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson will stand by
his reserves for the Worthington Cup quarter-final at
Tottenham after they dumped Nottingham Forest out
2-1 at Old Trafford last night.
Ferguson feels his second string side have earned the
right to face Spurs at White Hart Lane on December
2 and wants to give his first-team regulars a breather
because the tie falls in the middle of a run of four
games in 11 days.
"They will play against Spurs,'' Ferguson said of the
men who had proved too good for Forest.
"That particular week is quite a difficult one for us
because we have a Sunday game against Leeds then
a game against Aston Villa and then Bayern Munich
the week after that.''
Jordi Cruyff set up Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to score
twice inside three minutes to win the fourth-round tie.
Leeds manager David O'Leary, adjudged
goalkeeper Nigel Martyn as the villain of the piece as
Leicester come back from the dead at Filbert Street.
United were cruising following an 18th-minute
blunder from City's goalkeeper Kasey Keller but
with just under two minutes to go to the final whistle,
Martyn inexplicably raced off his line to head clear a
long, hopeful ball. It dropped straight to Muzzy Izzet,
who volleyed a side-foot shot over the head of the
back-pedalling Martyn into the net.
A few minutes later they sealed victory when Garry
Parker rammed home a penalty after Robert
Molenaar had brought down Izzet.
At Arsenal, Arsene Wenger insisted he had no
regrets about the 'shadow' team he sent out to suffer
their 5-0 hammering by holders Chelsea.
"I would do it again," said the Frenchman, who
fielded only two of the team which beat Everton in
the Premiership on Sunday plus Dutch striker Dennis
Bergkamp, taken off after an hour in his first game
since missing three matches with a back injury.
Wenger said: "Nothing went right for us on the night.
The penalty for the first goal was ridiculous. Gilles
Grimandi played the ball.''
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Match Report - Independent
Football - Solskjaer uncorks special reserves
Manchester United 2 Nottingham Forest 1
By Derick Allsop
THE Worthington Cup may be no more than an exercise yard for Manchester
United's second string but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is grateful for any arena in
which to hone his finishing skills and his two goals last night carried the
club into the quarter-finals.
Forest have been involved in too many unequal contests for their liking this
season but Alex Ferguson's policy of picking a virtual United for this
competition provided them with a level if pockmarked playing field.
The state of the Old Trafford pitch caused this United rather less concern than
the movement of a Forest sensing an opportunity to salvage some glory from a
winter which is likely to be dominated by the struggle for Premiership
survival.
Raimond van der Gouw was much the busier of the two goalkeepers in an open if
unspectacular first half. Henning Berg, the United captain, averted perhaps the
most menacing raid with a splendidly timed tackle on Steve Stone.
Solskjaer, Jordi Cruyff and Nicky Butt, all presumably miffed to be in this
company, retreated at the interval still frustrated. United again put out a
reserve team, which did not include a single player currently regarded as a
first choice, and some of the English game's most loyal support cried enough is
enough.
Patches of vacant red seating reflected an enthusiasm for the League Cup on a
par with the manager's. This was the third of four home fixtures in 11 days,
and for many it was a drain on the resources too much.
The Forest manager, Dave Bassett, had fewer options than Ferguson yet decided
he still had enough to exclude the unwanted Pierre van Hooijdonk from his
starting 11. One of those selected ahead of the Dutchman was Marlon Harewood
and he gave a glimpse of his developing talent and Berg a sight of his heels as
he sprinted goalwards in the 10th minute. His low shot stretched Van der Gouw
to a lunging save.
The Dutch goalkeeper was called on again seven minutes later, scrambling at his
near post to keep out Chris Bart-Williams' impudent free-kick.
Scott Gemmill was afforded the time to drift in from the left at leisure and
his eventual shot was somehow knocked away by the exposed Van der Gouw. The
goalkeeper was doubtless relieved Berg intervened before Gemmill could confront
him. United found some momentum late in the half. Cruyff ran at the Forest
defence and into trouble, then beyond the defence and into Beasant. But Butt's
long-range effort was too straight to disturb the keeper.
Cruyff sliced a chance wide, Beasant saved from Greening and Cruyff whipped
another shot off target in United's enterprising opening to the second half.
The pressure paid off after 57 minutes. Cruyff played a through ball into the
path of Solskjaer, who defied Beasant's advance to score. The same combination
extended United's advantage three minutes later with Solksjaer again on target
with a goal worthy of regular first team players.
Bassett gritted his teeth and sent on Van Hooijdonk for Harewood. It was Stone,
however, who pulled Forest back into the contest with a searing 25-yard shot in
the 68th minute.
Manchester United (4-4-2): Van der Gouw; Clegg, Berg, May (Wallwork, 45),
Curtis; Greening, Wilson, Butt, Mulryne; Solskjaer, Cruyff. Substitutes not
used: Notman, Nevland, Teather, Ford.
Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): Beasant; Louis-Jean, Chettle, Armstrong, Rogers;
Stone, Bart-Williams, Gemmill, Gray; Freedman, Harewood (Van Hooijdonk, 63).
Substitutes not used: Quashie, Crossley, Darcheville, Lyttle.
Referee: R J Harris (Oxford).
Manchester United - The Legend: http://manunited.net
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Subject: Thursday 12th Nov 1998 Schmeichel to quit United!! ««
United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has confirmed he will retire from
English football at the end of the season.
Schmeichel: End of an era!!
Schmeichel said: "There are too many games in English football now for me
to prepare properly to keep up the standards I need for a club like United.
"I am enjoying the game as much as ever but it is getting harder to keep
pace."
Schmeichel also confirmed that he would not be quitting the international
scene.
It's believed the 34-year-old Danish international will now move to France
- Monaco and Marseille the favourites - or a return home to former club
Brondby in Denmark may well be on the cards.
United are believed to have been searching for a successor to Schmeichel
and have frequently been linked with Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich,
who becomes a free agent in the summer under the Bosman ruling.
Signed from Danish side Brondby for £550,000 in 1991, Schmeichel quickly
established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
He has helped the club win four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the
League Cup.
Last season against Derby County, he also became the first goalkeeper to
keep 100 clean sheets in the Premiership.
He was an ever-present during Denmark's World Cup campaign this summer and
claimed his 100th international cap against Saudi Arabia in June.
Manager Alex Ferguson wasted no time in praising Schmeichel in the wake of
his decision to retire.
Ferguson said: "Peter Schmeichel has been a major player in the success
achieved by the club over the past eight years.
"He has been a model professional who has inspired and influenced everyone
with Manchester United."
Fergie would not be moved, however, on whether a replacement had been lined
up already.
He added: "I've had to do a lot of thinking in the last few weeks since
Peter and I had our chat.
"Obviously we'll have to move quite soon, but we've been looking at some
situations."
Finally, United confirmed they would not be seeking a fee for Schmeichel.
Schmeichel statement ««
Peter Schmeichel today announced his decision to retire from English football.
And in an emotional speech, the Great Dane said: "I need more time between
games than I can get in England - I certainly need more than 12 days summer
holidays!
"Unfortunately, the demands of the game here means that I cannot get the
time I need which is something I truly regret.
"I have asked Manchester United to release me at the end of the season
which they have generously agreed to do and for that I am truly grateful.
"It is important that I am now allowed to concentrate totally on the rest
of the season. I have had a fantastic career with United and I owe it to
the club, players and fans to do everything I can to finish on a
successful, and that means winning, note."
When asked about his immediate future in the domestic game, Schmeichel
said: "I'd like to keep playing, maybe in Denmark. But I didn't think it
was fair to use my energy to find another workplace.
"I'll concentrate on playing until the end of the season. If no-one has
come in for me by March or April, then I'll start to worry!"
"Peter Schmeichel's last season at OT" Click on image for more!"
Pic Link today is http://www.red11.org/mufc/news/schmeichel.htm
Barry
J. Leeming Digest Prgram
by 
William
McArthur Canada
