Massimo Taibi reveals pain at THAT Manchester United blunder that defined his career
MASSIMO TAIBI has opened up about the terrible mistake that defined his short Manchester United career - revealing he has nearly banished it completely from his mind.
On that fateful September day in 1999, Italian stopper Taibi's made sure he would be remembered for one of the most comical moments in Premier League history.
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Opponents Southampton had lost their previous 10 games against United at Old Trafford and the Reds found themselves 2-1 up before the error that would change Taibi's life.
Southampton's talisman Matt Le Tissier struck a gentle, bobbling shot from 25 yards, with nobody inside Old Trafford expecting anything but a routine save.
But as Taibi knelt to scoop the ball up into his arms, the ball squirmed agonisingly through his legs and rolled, almost slow-motion, into the back of the net.
The game ended 3-3, but it made him the butt of the cruellest jokes, in particular from this newspaper, who nicknamed him the "Blind Venetian."
And speaking to the , Taibi still does not know how it could have occurred. He said: "I honestly do not remember how that mistake happened.
"Unfortunately, it was a hiccup. To this day, I do not know how it was even possible.
"The media were bad but it was part of our job - my team-mates were all wonderful with me.
"I used to think about it a lot but I don't as much anymore."
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Taibi's plight was not helped by being a virtual unknown - as well as having Peter Schmeichel's enormous shoes to fill when signing for the Red Devils for £4.5million from Venezia.
The Great Dane was arguably the greatest goalkeeper to stand between the sticks, but had left in 1999 - and the trouser-wearing Taibi was scouted as his replacement.
He had spent his whole life in Italy until then, and did not speak a word of English - but Taibi did not think twice about joining the European champions.
He added: "I left Italy in 1999 because I could not turn down a club as great as Manchester United.
"I did not know Sir Alex Ferguson well other than I knew he wanted to sign me. I think I only met him once beforehand.
"It was a good experience and a fantastic stadium. I liked the United fans."
He actually began his career at Old Trafford, well, making his debut just a week after joining in a 3-2 win over Liverpool at Anfield.
Thrust into a leaky defence which had kept just two clean sheets in eight games, fears over the language barrier saw the unusual move of reportedly getting an Italian restaurant owner from Manchester to act as pitchside translator as goalkeeper coach Tony Coton fired instructions at Taibi.
It seemed to work, as Taibi had an impressive debut in the 3-2 win - making a number of point blank saves after United went down to 10 men in the second-half.
He said: "It was hard to replace Schmeichel and there was so much pressure on me.
"But my debut against Liverpool was a great memory. It was a beautiful game as I won man of the match."
Taibi followed that up with another man of the match display on his home debut against Wimbledon at Old Trafford, before the fateful Southampton game.
After his error, his confidence went, and the Italian shipped five away at Chelsea. Mark Bosnich then reclaimed the No.1 jersey and Taibi's United career was effectively over in just 22 days.
Taibi was not able to play in the Champions League as he was not registered in time, meaning he had large chunks out of the side - but believes that 17 years on, things could have been different.
He added: "I'm sure it would have changed everything because I could play again right away and I could have done better with that continuity in the team.
"I had family problems so I had to go. I'm happy with my career, but I was sorry that I could not show my potential in England."