Manchester United back-up goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard accepts he can hardly do any more to persuade Sir Alex Ferguson to pick him on a more regular basis.
Lindegaard made his sixth appearance of the season in Wednesday's 5-0 win at Fulham. Although the Denmark international conceded on his campaign debut against Benfica, he has not let a goal in since.
Yet it almost certainly will not prevent him from being dropped again on Boxing Day, when United take on relegation-threatened Wigan at Old Trafford. "I hope I am giving the manager a problem," he told MUTV.
"In 10 matches nobody will remember any of the saves, they will remember the statistics. I have played five games in a row without letting a goal in. That is a very beautiful stat and one I am very happy with."
Although David de Gea has endured a few wobbly moments this season, Ferguson has retained faith in the Spain Under-21 star, who was signed from Atletico Madrid for £18million last summer.
By comparison, Lindegaard's services were secured for a rather more modest outlay, which is presumably the reason why De Gea keeps getting the nod. At least Ferguson has a selection to make though. In other areas of the field his options are dwindling fast.
An extensive injury list got even longer at Craven Cottage, with Ashley Young expected to be out for three weeks after coming off worst in a bruising tackle with Dickson Etuhu.
Phil Jones suffered an even greater problem, with Ferguson likely to confirm on Saturday the teenager sustained a fractured cheekbone when he was caught in the face by Clint Dempsey's elbow.
That would mean a spell on the sidelines of between four and six weeks in a period with Nemanja Vidic has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and Darren Fletcher will miss an unspecified period with a rare bowel condition.
In addition, Rio Ferdinand is set to miss the Boxing Day encounter with Wigan after picking up a foot injury in training.
Source: PA
