Peter Schmeichel has outlined a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson in which he recommended the Manchester United boss buy Edwin van der Sar in 1999 - six years before the Dutchman eventually moved to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils legend left United for Sporting after winning a host of silverware - including the renowned treble of 1999 - and he was replaced by Mark Bosnich from Aston Villa.
However, Ferguson was unconvinced by the Australian ‘keeper and bought Fabian Barthez from Monaco for £7.8m the year after. The Frenchman lasted three seasons before losing his place to Tim Howard and van der Sar was eventually bought from Fulham in 2005.