A forensic analysis of Lucas Radebe playing in goal against Man Utd

During his 11 years at Elland Road, Lucas Radebe established himself as one of Leeds United’s greatest heroes.

Radebe, affectionately known as The Chief in West Yorkshire, has enjoyed not just a remarkable career but an extraordinary life.

Shot in his youth in Soweto, Radebe went on to captain Kaizer Chiefs, Leeds and South Africa, with Nelson Mandela naming the defender his “hero”.

There are many reasons he became so loved in Leeds, including one memorable day against fierce rivals Manchester United in April 1996.

An outfielder playing in goal is always a fun novelty, but with Radebe it was not entirely unexpected. While he eventually made his name as a centre-back, he had in fact started his career in South Africa as a goalkeeper.

Only a month prior to donning the gloves at Old Trafford, Radebe was forced to switch from centre-back to goalkeeper at half-time after John Lukic had suffered a concussion, keeping a second-half clean sheet against a Middlesbrough side that had scored the game’s only goal thanks to a fourth-minute penalty.

The Whites were enduring a terrible second half to the season and arrived at Old Trafford on a run of six defeats in seven games.

Lukic had been dropped from the matchday squad entirely, with Mark Beeney taking his place in goal and no back-up on the bench. What could possibly go wrong?

Perhaps the accompaniment of #UPBEATMUSIC has disorientated Beeney, but Leeds’ stand-in ‘keeper is definitely confused as Manchester United launch a ball over the top of the defence.

Unsure whether to use his head or his hands, he decides to use both. Carlton Palmer is trying to argue with the referee that it shouldn’t be a red card but not for the first time fails in his application.

Beeney departs,