Goram signs for United
Thursday, 22 March 2001 15:51Manchester United have completed the £100,000 loan move of Andy Goram to the club from Motherwell. The former Scottish international keeper will be with United until the end of the season, providing cover for the injured Fabien Barthez and Raimond van der Gouw.
The move relieves considerable pressure on United, who had faced the prospect of going into next month's Champion's League quarter finals against Bayern Munich without an experienced keeper. However, UEFA will grant United special dispensation to play 36 year old Goram in the crucial match against their 1999 Final opponents.
United manager Alex Ferguson enthused about the signing of the player. "We need cover in the form of an experienced goalkeeper who can handle a European tie. Andy has been in great form for Motherwell and has been proving his fitness every week. There is no-one better in a big-game situation. "
Ferguson had handed Goram his Scotland debut against East Germany 15 years ago. According to current Scotland goalkeeping coach Alan Hodgkinson, Goram is in the same class as former United star Peter Schmeichel. "I worked at Manchester United for many years with Peter Schmeichel and he rated as one of the best goalkeepers, if not the best goalkeeper. I was working with two goalkeepers at the same time - I was working at Manchester United and with Scotland and I judged Andy Goram as equal with Peter Schmeichel," he said. (PA)
Filed by Shane Stokes
