A number of fine goalkeepers have graced English football over the years, but perhaps the best of them all was Peter Schmeichel.
The giant Dane joined Manchester United in 1991 and he went on to become one of the key players as the Red Devils started their dominance of the Premier League - a trophy that he lifted five times. He also won the FA Cup on three occasions, as well as the Champions League and one League Cup.
On the day that he turns 52, Sports Mole has picked out five of the best saves that Schmeichel made during his eight-year association with United.
5. Newcastle United (1997-98)
The season before he had shipped five goals at St James' Park, so Schmeichel seemed extra determined to keep his clean sheet intact on United's next visit to Tyneside. The visitors won the match 1-0 thanks to a goal from former Newcastle striker Andy Cole, but they also owed a lot to their goalkeeper.
John Barnes crept up on the blindside to beat Teddy Sheringham in the air and produced a downward header that seemed certain to creep inside Schmeichel's near post. However, United's number one showed great reflexes to not only stop the goal, but he also turned the ball behind for a corner.
4. West Ham United (1993-94)
Man United travelled to Upton Park with a healthy advantage over Blackburn Rovers at the top of the Premier League table in February 1994, but that lead could well have been cut had it not been for Schmeichel's reflexes.
Mike Marsh's inswinging cross was an inviting one and Trevor Morley duly obliged as he powered a header goalwards. However, just as the home faithful started to celebrate, Schmeichel made a firm contact with the ball, which he pushed to safety via the upright. It was a save that helped to preserve a 2-2 draw for the visitors.
3. Liverpool (1992-93)
Locked in a tight battle with both Aston Villa and Norwich City for the title in March 1993, every victory was crucial for Sir Alex Ferguson's United. A defeat at rivals Liverpool had cost United dearly in the title race the season before, but with Schmeichel in top form, they won 2-1 on this occasion.
Don Hutchison was afforded enough time inside the United area to not only collect Steve McManaman's corner, he swivelled and then thundered a shot goalwards. The Kop was about to erupt, only for Schmeichel to drop down to his left and somehow push the ball behind for a corner.
2. Coventry City (1993-94)
When a team in title contention is not playing overly well, hard-fought 1-0 victories are particularly crucial. Schmeichel helped to secure one of those wins with what was arguably his best performance of the 1993-94 campaign.
Having already thwarted Coventry's main marksman Micky Quinn on numerous occasions and also Sean Flynn, Schmeichel saved the best stop until last. Deep into stoppage time, home midfielder John Williams got up above Steve Bruce to flick the ball into the danger area. An advancing Chris Marsden got in between the combination of Paul Ince and Paul Parker, but his rising effort from close range was instinctively turned against the crossbar by United's gloveman.
1. Rapid Vienna (1996-97)
"My best save of all time was away to Rapid Vienna in the Champions League in December 1996. There was a lot of fuss made about it, and it was even on the news. It was compared to Gordon Banks's save from Pele, which I consider the greatest save ever, so that was the biggest honour of all."
That is what Schmeichel said of his save in Vienna during an interview with FourFourTwo 12 years ago. Whether it was better than Banks's in 1970 is up for debate, but one thing is for sure, Rapid's Czech Republic centre-forward Rene Wagner must have believed that his downward header was destined for the back of the net.
Liam Apicella
