Peter Schmeichel was the world's best goalkeeper for the better part of a decade (1988-2000), and has enough medals won at Manchester United and Denmark to prove it.
When asked about how Manchester United has been able to keep this tremendous run of good form defensively, he was quick to point out what makes Edwin van der Sar and his back line so special.
In reference to van der Sar being more than just a shot-stopper, Schmeichel comments "I must say it irritates me when people talk about shot-stopping goalkeepers. They can all stop shots."
"If they couldn’t, they would not be playing at that level. Being a goalkeeper for a top club, and especially at Manchester United, is about more than that."
van der Sar being so good with his feet allows him to be connected to his back four, and to develop a positive relationship with central defenders Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.
"Because Van der Sar is so good with his feet — he was a groundbreaker in many ways — United have the freedom and confidence to play high up the field. They can impose their own football on teams knowing that the back door is locked if the other team break."
"This is fundamental to United and keeper should never really be viewed in isolation. A keeper should not be separated from the rest of the team. For example, when I played at Old Trafford I had a great relationship with central defenders Gary Pallister and Steve Bruce. We trusted each other, we knew what each other were doing and where we would be."
"It is the same with Van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand."
I think Vidic should be the English Premier League Player of the Year for his role in United's success, and Schmeichel seems to be an admirer of Vidic as well.
"I have to say that I think Vidic has been crucial. He is a defender who does the simple things first and he has allowed Ferdinand to develop in to one of the top three central defenders in the world. He is also the reason why Jonny Evans looks like he’s been playing for the team for 100 years when he comes in."
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