Anders Lindegaard signs new four-year deal with Manchester United

Anders Lindegaard has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United.

The Denmark goalkeeper has made a big impression at Old Trafford and had become Sir Alex Ferguson's first choice until he suffered a serious ankle injury in January.

He has since returned to full fitness and will be part of the United squad that heads to Scandinavia for the next leg of their pre-season tour this weekend.

Ferguson said: "Anders is still relatively young for a goalkeeper, he has come on leaps and bounds since joining us last year."

Ferguson added: "There is healthy competition in the goalkeeping department which is always good for the team, albeit a headache for me.

"I am delighted he has signed a new contract and also delighted to see that he has clearly returned from the summer break in good shape after the disappointment of suffering an injury last season."

Lindegaard famously announced his arrival as a relative unknown from Norwegian outfit Aalesund by insisting he had not joined the Red Devils "to pick my nose".

It was a reference to his status as deputy to Edwin van der Sar.

However, the Dutchman's retirement left Lindegaard in a straight fight with David de Gea, whose struggles in his early weeks with United left the door open to a surprise elevation to first choice keeper.

Injury scuppered that hope last term, and meant he was only Denmark's second choice keeper at Euro 2012.

However, he is now fully fit and ready to scrap for his first-team place once more.

"I'm very pleased to have signed a new contract," said the 28-year-old.

"I'm glad and proud that the manager has shown the confidence he has in me by giving me a new deal.

"There is nowhere in the world I would rather be than right here.

"The competition for places is tough, as it should be in a club like this, it only makes us better as individuals and more importantly, stronger as a team.

"It's what I have dreamt of all my life and nothing makes me more proud than wearing the Manchester United badge."

PA