One of the greatest goalkeepers to ever play football, the ‘Great Dane’ was born on this day 52 years ago.

Schmeichel was a physically imposing and intimidating character between the sticks and is best remembered for a successful eight-year stint with Manchester United, which ended with him bowing out as a Champions League winner as United beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in one of the most dramatic finals at the Nou Camp in 1999.

He won five Premier League titles and three FA Cups with the Red Devils, having been snapped up for just £505,000 from Brondby.

He made well over 300 appearances for the club and also played for Manchester City and Aston Villa before retiring in 2003.

Schmeichel scored 11 goals during his career and is Denmark’s most capped player, with 129 appearances. He won the 1992 European Championships with the Danish Dynamite.

1968: Gary Sheffield, retired American baseball player who won MLB’s World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997 (47).

1969: Sam Cassell, won three NBA titles with the Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics. Now LA Clippers coach (46).

1983: Michael Dawson, footballer who plays for Hull City and formerly with Tottenham. Has four caps for England (32).

1985: Allyson Felix, American sprinter. Is the current Olympic 200m champion having won gold at London 2012 (30).