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

Comment 1 - 19 of 59

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  1. BRAINLESS ...tell me what of those u mentioned have win­ in their first 3 years at their club ? did they win 2­ domestic league and a championsleague respectively ??­ com on tell me VDS have won 2 premierleague and a­ chamipons league once he arrived at the club ..none has­ done that b4

    From Mr.Geo, on Thu 11 Dec 9:58PM

  2. brainless (comment 15), you also forgot kahn and cech..­ but i'm glad you know the best

    From CJ, on Thu 11 Dec 9:56PM

  3. Too old my @#$% he's still got what it takes.

    From GARY, on Thu 11 Dec 9:54PM

  4. good keepers can go on till thay ar in there 40's­ if they keep fit and focused,

    From chris, on Thu 11 Dec 9:51PM

  5. van de sar is great, i would say he is just underneath­ schmeichel as the best.
    whatever he wants to do i would­ let him decide. he did win us the champs league last­ yr!

    From john, on Thu 11 Dec 9:40PM

  6. time to retire .... fergie as well and bring in the­ special one !!!!!!!

    From RICH T, on Thu 11 Dec 9:30PM

  7. Mr.Geo, greatest ever???? You either are weak on­ football knowledge or you are dating VDS's­ daughter. He would not come close to the likes of­ Seaman, Buffon, Schmeichel, and Jean-Marie Pfaff, let­ alone the Zoff, Shilton and Yashin.

    From Half A Brain, on Thu 11 Dec 9:27PM

  8. "van der sar is the greatest goalkeeper ever"­ no he isnt Peter "The Great" Schmeichel was,­ Van Dar Sar is good but not that good.

    From Ian, on Thu 11 Dec 9:20PM

  9. should retire last year. go when u on top n u will be­ remembered for good.

    From khairunnajo, on Thu 11 Dec 9:19PM

  10. Keep him as no 2 get fosher playing reguarly let him­ show us what hes about

    From keith j, on Thu 11 Dec 9:17PM

  11. van der sar is the greatest goalkeeper ever ...his­ consistency over the years was brilliant ..i dont think­ he s replacable, and kuzczak isnt good enough ..foster­ s good but still not convincing i think we should bring­ shay given or robert green

    From Mr.Geo, on Thu 11 Dec 9:12PM

  12. up yours, hes still one of the best

    From jon g, on Thu 11 Dec 8:48PM

  13. whos to replace him?

    From Pannas, on Thu 11 Dec 8:48PM

  14. United need to find another Schmeichel – and not­ Casper!

    From peranpublishingservices, on Thu 11 Dec 8:48PM

  15. hey boss give ben a go

    From manjinder, on Thu 11 Dec 8:48PM

  16. time to step down and let foster take on the role as­ no,1, van der sar as no.2

    From j22la11, on Thu 11 Dec 8:47PM

  17. who cares, he is @#$% anyway, let them have him

    From NICK, on Thu 11 Dec 8:46PM

  18. van der sar you are quality

    From salex47, on Thu 11 Dec 8:44PM

  19. edwin is to old

    From kevinrcross, on Thu 11 Dec 8:43PM
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