Players of Manchester United – Peter Schmeichel

Peter Schmeichel was born on November 18, 1963 in Gladsaxe, Denmark. He retired from playing football in April 2003.

Schmeichel is Denmark’s most capped player, with 129, retiring from international football in April 2001. At his peak he was arguably the world’s best goalkeeper. A charismatic keeper with presence and excellent shot-stopping skills, Schmeichel was one of the key members of the Danish national team which won Euro Cup 1992. He also represented his country at Euro Cup 1996, World Cup 1998 and Euro Cup 2000.

Schmeichel’s first played professionally for Hvidovre IF. He subsequently signed for Brondby. Manchester United bought him in 1991 for 550,000 pounds and he played for them for the most part of his career which he enjoyed great success. With United, Schmeichel won 5 FA Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, the UEFA Champions League, and a League Cup. Well known for frequently shouting at defenders, especially Steve Bruce, although the two remain firm friends till now.

Peter Schmeichel’s finest moment came in 1999, when he won the Treble (the Premier League title, FA Cup and Champions League), while captaining the team in the Champions League final on May 26, 1999 against Bayern Munich, which turns out to be his last game for the club. Schmeichel later moved to Sporting Lisbon, where he won the Portuguese league title in 1999/2000, then returned to the Premiership to Aston Villa in 2001/2. His last season was for Manchester City during the 2002/3 season.

He has a son, Kasper Schmeichel, who also plays as goalkeeper for Manchester City and was called up for the Danish U-19 squad in August 2003. Today Peter has a career working as a pundit for the BBC.