Manuel Almunia has thanked former Arsenal goalkeeper rival Jens Lehmann for the back-biting and sniping that has made him a more resilient performer.

He told Champions magazine: "I want to thank Lehmann for pushing me this far. We have a good relationship now.

"He was in the changing room after the United game and before that we had a long chat during a meal with the rest of the squad. It started with holidays and the weather and became much deeper.

"We have normalised our relationship. When there is no competition, the character melts a bit. To be honest, when you are younger and have a bad time you don't realise that treatment from your rival can benefit you - you only suffer.

"I have decided that players need not only sporting but psychological pressure if they are to become better."