Leicester boss shoots down Kasper Schmeichel comparisons with Man United legend dad Peter before Old Trafford title challenge

Claudio Ranieri insists the Foxes' Danish keeper "is a fantastic player with his own personality and he deserves this. For me he was never in this shadow"

John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Peter Schmeichel celebrates winning the Premiership Title with his son Kasper during the Homecoming Parade through Manchester on May 1, 1994
My turn, Dad! A seven-year-old Kasper Schmeichel with his father on United's 1994 title parade

Claudio Ranieri insists Kasper Schmeichel should no longer be compared to his father Peter - as the Leicester goalkeeper bids to win the Premier League title at his dad's old Theatre of Dreams.

Schmeichel Senior won five titles and one Champions League at Manchester United and now son Kasper is close to completing only the second set of father-and-son Premier League champions (after Ian Wright and Shaun Wright-Phillips) with victory on the same Old Trafford pitch his old man graced.

But Foxes boss Ranieri said before the weekend trip to Manchester: "I think it's so the right moment not to speak about his father.

"Kasper Schmeichel is a fantastic player, a fantastic keeper, with his own personality and he deserves this.

"For me he was never in this shadow. For this reason I say, 'Finish! Stop (talking about his dad)!"

Asked about reports linking Schmeichel with a move to Barcelona , Ranieri quipped: "It's fantastic — how much money?! Or we can change Lionel Messi with Kasper!"

messi-in-Leicester-city-shirt
Nou deal! Ranieri joked he'd happily trade Schmeichel for Barca superstar Messi

Ranieri admitted Leicester's two former United players Danny Drinkwater and Danny Simpson will have extra motivation at Old Trafford on Sunday.

He said: "Of course they have a little more to show because they are like family. A little part of their hearts is also for Manchester United and they want to show a good performance there."

In pictures — Leicester train for the match that could make them champions:

Read more: Robbie Savage salutes the unsung heroes of Leicester's title charge

And Ranieri heaped praise on Anthony Martial, the Man United forward he signed for Monaco from Lyon as a 17-year-old.

He said: "Martial was a phenomenal player when I first saw him four years ago, although he was so young.

"We bought him in Monaco, he was amazing three or four years ago and now he has had a very good impact on the Premier League and I think he can still go forward a lot."

Poll loading …

Comments

Like us on Facebook