Schmeichel: Ferguson visit left me dumbstruck

The legendary Danish no.1 was playing for Brondby at the time, and had already missed out on one opportunity to join United due to the two clubs' inability to agree a transfer fee.

Schmeichel was hugely frustrated at being denied the chance of a move to England but, after redoubling his efforts in Denmark, he was rewarded later in the season with an impromptu visit from the United boss.

“It was probably the lowest point of my life,”he explained to the UTD Podcast.

“But I turned that 180-degrees and said [to myself]: 'I'm going to use this as an energy source to become even better. You can't avoid me now. I have to be so much better so they [United] are going to come back.'“So I had about two…