Premier League - Van der Sar signs new deal

Eurosport - Fri, 12 Dec 22:26:00 2008

Edwin van der Sar has signed a new deal at Manchester United to keep him at the club until 2010.

FOOTBALL Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der sar - 0

The veteran Dutchman has excelled since his arrival from Fulham three seasons ago and put an end to the constant criticism of United's goalkeepers.

And Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Van der Sar will remain at Old Trafford until 2010 before giving way to Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak, saying : "We have agreed a new one-year contract with Edwin."

He added: "His experience, temperament, professionalism and performance level have not changed one bit since he has been with us.

"Obviously, it will be his last year. He will be almost 40 then, which is a great credit to the lad.

"He has been absolutely marvellous here."

Van der Sar has collected two Premier League titles with the Red Devils and also saved Nicolas Anelka's penalty to give Ferguson's men their Champions League shoot-out triumph over Chelsea in Moscow.

He retired from international duty with Holland at the end of Euro 2008, although he has since returned on a one-off basis to help out during October's World Cup qualifiers due to injury.

A European Cup winner in his youth with Ajax, Van der Sar also had a couple of years with Juventus when Ferguson did not move fast enough after highlighting him as a replacement for Peter Schmeichel in 1999.

Van der Sar's vast experience makes him the ideal man to help develop Foster and Kuszczak, both of whom have been given sporadic opportunities this term without laying claim to the number one jersey on a permanent basis.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

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  1. One of the best keepers ManUtd has ever had, probably­ equal to or better than Schmeichel(who was top).

    From AJ, on Sat 13 Dec 6:28AM

  2. Undoubtedly VDS is a good keeper but not in the­ Schmeichel class. Of late however at times his­ judgement and reflexes are suspect. He is lucky to have­ a good back four in front of him to protect him­ although there have been those misunderstandings which­ could have cost ManU. We need cover for him. Foster is­ a good understudy but he needs matches under his belt.­ Kusczak has been worrying at times and it is about time­ Foster steps up as no 2 to VDS.

    From cokrowinoto, on Fri 12 Dec 11:01PM

  3. There really is this Nigerian goalie - very good in­ spot kicks. Name's Aiyenuba..United scouts ought to­ look into his game - just so all bases 'd 've­ been covered.

    From Jonah E, on Fri 12 Dec 8:57PM

  4. Forgot Tim Howard..

    From simon-roberts, on Fri 12 Dec 6:30PM

  5. sappercommando25. Barthez wasn't too bad but could­ have been a lot better, agile but small. I was thinking­ more along the lines of Bosnich, Massimo Taibi (oh­ dear). I think Utd need to buy some real class after­ Van der sar and actually spend big like in other­ areas.

    Also other keepers, Van der Gouw, Culkin,­ Goram, Rachubka, Carroll and Ricardo.

    From simon-roberts, on Fri 12 Dec 6:27PM

  6. United have been spoiled by having Mr Schmeichel­ between the sticks for so many years, anyone after him­ would be a step down as he was truly world class! VDS­ has done a great job, for which we should be thankful,­ but it's Ben Foster's time now! He too, has­ the makings of a great, and given his age could get the­ job for many years to come!!
    Alfie, Paris

    From aczufolo, on Fri 12 Dec 6:26PM

  7. One thing that people may have forgotten about is VDS­ made his name when the pass back rule was brought in.­ He was (one of the more famous) the first to really­ adapt and use his brain and feet efficiently. This got­ people talking about him and his fame then grew.­
    Personally I think he is just above average.....very­ dependable though.

    From Oliver, on Fri 12 Dec 6:13PM

  8. go van der sar..
    i support u..

    From Khairul, on Fri 12 Dec 6:09PM

  9. simon-roberts, TRUE Fabien Bartez was a classic example­ or a failed keeper.

    From sappercommando25, on Fri 12 Dec 6:05PM

  10. vds is a GOOD keeper not GREAT keeper but its a sad­ state of affairs that he's the best united have or­ will get ..... arent there about 5 or 6 international­ standard
    german keepers up and coming playing in­ germany or europe we could buy , ????????

    From RICH T, on Fri 12 Dec 6:01PM

  11. hes got be the best hes playing for manu but when got­ one of are biggest rival fans saying it it must be­ right

    From robert, on Fri 12 Dec 6:01PM

  12. i hope he stays for more than a year, because he's­ been essential to da man utd's squad

    From Shakz, on Fri 12 Dec 5:51PM

  13. Although and not the most outstanding of keepers as­ some people here have said. It's not the team that­ make him look good. Many other keepers have failed­ until Van der sar came along.

    From simon-roberts, on Fri 12 Dec 5:09PM

  14. brainless, for once you've wrote something that­ makes sense. It is true that van der Sar is nothing­ special. He's just a good keeper at times and­ nothing more. It is easy to look unbelievable in a top­ European team, even if you are a load of rubbish.
    Ask­ Darren Fletcher, Wes Brown and the likes.

    From sappercommando25, on Fri 12 Dec 4:46PM

  15. vds is good so let him try another year for last­ chance at man u.after that he must retire cos man u ­ cannot gamble with him anymore........ give him a good­ try

    From Tan, on Fri 12 Dec 4:38PM

  16. h1 ..sports lovers..I suggest you view more at­ _____Searchingsenior_____ where all Men can find real­ sexy single beauties online with photos,... who­ enjoying chatting sports and stars..

    From roy_is_lonely, on Fri 12 Dec 4:19PM

  17. vdc is one of the best ever.

    From kunle, on Fri 12 Dec 3:33PM

  18. I just think the time has come to make way for the­ young keepers especially Foster. van der Sar has been a­ consistent keeper but age is starting to catch up with­ him. especially when it comes to free set pieces. Not­ as quick coming off the line and not a very good­ puncher of the ball.

    So has been a good buy for Man­ Utd but I really think its time to move on with Foster­ even with the small amount of games that he has played­ you can see that he has the makings of good keeper­ probably even better that VDS was at Ajax.

    From Dex Genius, on Fri 12 Dec 2:49PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Van Der Sar should retire. He is a bit old anyway.

    From Nathan, on Fri 12 Dec 2:43PM

  20. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!­ !!!!!!!!!!!!

    From dnl_tnr, on Fri 12 Dec 2:18PM
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