Anders Happy At United

Anders Lindegaard is determined to help Manchester United succeed after making his second appearance of the season in the FA Cup defeat to Swansea City.

The Dane was given little opportunity to show his talents as he had no chance with the two goals and would understandably appreciate more starts this term. Injury scuppered possible outings against Liverpool and Stoke City in the Capital One Cup after he kept a clean sheet in the 4-0 win over Norwich in round four.

However, as a Reds supporter since a child, the keeper is keen to emphasise how happy he is to be at the club and live out a dream.

"It is always nice to play but the way we played was maybe not as enjoyable as I would have imagined," he stated to PA Sport and ManUtd.com.

"It is very frustrating. You want to show the best side of yourself when you get the chance. You can't do any more or less. That is how football is and that is how it is to be a goalkeeper. We don't have the luxury of being able to put ourselves on the scene. We have to wait for something to happen before we can show what we can do. A goalkeeper can't get the ball and go for a run to show what they can do as we are in a static position. We have to wait before we can help the team."

In terms of his absence from some games due to injury, with Ben Amos and Sam Johnstone taking over on the bench, Lindegaard was asked if it was difficult to contend with.

"That is true," he admitted. "Although in the bigger picture it doesn't make a lot of difference. Two or four games - it is still not enough. I want to play more but I have to underline I am happy to be at United. To be part of the club, for me as a human being, is almost better than ever because of familiar things, and family and so on. It is a weird situation. In other years, I have played more but not felt as good as I do right now.

"It is a very weird position to be in. It is new stuff. For me personally in this situation, I have to try and be objective, not subjective. It would be easy to get frustrated at not playing. I have to try and rise above myself and see it from the club's perspective and see how much pressure we have been under as a club. Then it is easier for me to understand why things are the way they are. I would obviously like to think that in periods where we are winning all the games, there would be more game time for me.

"For me it is all about being a happy human being. I am that now at Manchester United. I am happy to be part of this big club. I enjoy the atmosphere we have in the locker room. It is my club since I was a small kid. This is my dream. The question is do I have to compromise that dream and seek elsewhere? Right now, the decision is to stay here and help the club, that is the most important thing.

"The other night I came home after we lost to Tottenham. My wife asked: 'Why are you so angry?'. I said it was because we had just lost. She said: 'But you didn't play'. I said: 'This is my club. We are losing.' If I was sitting watching the games on the couch, I would be very disappointed. That is how it is. It is both a praise and a curse. When you say it like that, you have to remember how lucky you are. How many football players can say they are part of their biggest dream? I am not stupid. I can see I could use some more games somewhere but right now I am helping this club as much as I can."

United have the perfect opportunity to respond to the FA Cup exit by taking a step closer to a Wembley final in the Capital One Cup at Sunderland on Tuesday evening.

"It is difficult for me as a Scandivanian to say how much each different title means to the club," he conceded. "I can see the League Cup is the least prestigious of the four competitions. But it is a trophy. At United we have to win all the competitions we are in. We have to respect the League Cup

as much as anything else. That has always been the case, since I have been here at least. We need to win all the trophies we can.

"Reaching the final would be a major thing, especially in the situation we are in now. It would be very important for us to win that trophy. We have to pick ourselves and move forward. We need to get into that final.

"The game comes quickly but we have a big squad. We can change positions quite easily without too much of a disturbance. We have to win the game on Tuesday and the following game at Old Trafford."