Anders Is Now Fatboy Slim

Manchester United's Anders Lindegaard is hoping his new fitness regime will pay handsome dividends as he attempts to prove he is the logical successor to current first choice Edwin van der Sar.

The Denmark goalkeeper, 26, who signed for United last November, was put on a stringent diet shortly after switching to Old Trafford.

Lindegaard told Danish newspaper Tipsbladet: "The first thing that happened when I came is that I was put on a diet.

"In short, they told me I was too fat. I have been instructed when to eat and that it is only proteins, carbs and vegetables from now on."

But Lindegaard, who has made two FA Cup appearances for United since joining from Aalesund, is prepared to make the necessary sacrifices in order to try and nail down a regular starting spot.

"There are rules that need to be followed," he admitted. "Or, as the manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) says, 'it is worth it (the dieting regime) when your career is over and you are standing there with a lot of medals hanging around your neck'."

However, his former manager at Aalesund, Kjetil Rekdal, backed his former protégé, despite the concern over his weight when he first made the switch to the Premier League.

"It is hard to say what he did after leaving us for a holiday," he said. "But he might have celebrated his new contract (at United) with a Carlsberg and some good food."