Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar will hang up his boots at
the end of the season. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Sir Alex Ferguson says he expects
Edwin van der Sar to retire at the end of this season but believes
lessons learned from Peter Schmeichel's departure will prevent
another goalkeeping crisis at Manchester United.
Van der Sar was 40 in October and, despite recent mixed messages
over his intentions when his contract expires next summer, has told
Ferguson this will be his final campaign at Old Trafford. "We are
planning for this being his last season," the United manager said
today. "I expected it. It is amazing to be playing at this level at
40 years of age. You can only do it if you've got that structure
and the mind.
"To be able to programme himself and train the way he does is
phenomenal. He's an outstanding man."
United have not discussed a possible coaching role with Van der
Sar, although Ferguson indicated a position could be made available
for the former Ajax, Juventus and Fulham goalkeeper. "He is a
player that will be of interest because of his knowledge and
standing in the game," said the Scot, who rates the Dutchman
alongside Schmeichel as his most important keepers at Old Trafford
and now faces a similar predicament over finding a permanent
successor.
A procession of players failed to live up to the Dane's imposing
reputation after his United exit in 1999, ranging from a World Cup
winner in Fabien Barthez to calamities such as Massimo Taibi.
Tomasz Kuszczak, who may also leave the club next summer, and Ben
Foster failed to dislodge Van der Sar as No1. Although Anders
Lindegaard has recently signed for £3.5m from the Norwegian club
Aalesunds and there are high hopes for Ben Amos, Ferguson indicated
a proven, top-class keeper will be on his transfer agenda next
summer. David de Gea of Atlético Madrid and Schalke's Manuel Neuer
are potential candidates.
"I think we have learned the lesson [from failing to replace
Schmeichel]," Ferguson said. "I should have signed Van der Sar
after Schmeichel. I made a mistake but now we think we know where
we're going. Both of them have been magnificent. I've been very
lucky to have had them both."
Ferguson gave no credence to rumours that David Beckham could
return on loan during the MLS close season. "I don't think so with
David at his age," he said. A more immediate aim for the United
manager "is to be top of the league by 4 January. If we are, then
we have done well."
The league leaders entertain Sunderland on Boxing Day, with
games at Birmingham and West Bromwich Albion and at home to Stoke
completing their festive campaign. Despite Tottenham's continued
improvement, Ferguson believes United's closest challengers will
come only from the usual suspects.
"There were indications last season when Tottenham got into the
top four that things were changing and that elite four that people
had spoken about for years had changed," he said. "And it looks as
if it can change again because there's a battle for fourth place
again. You have to recognise it's a different type of league but I
don't think there'll be anyone outside of ourselves, Chelsea or
Arsenal [challenging for the title]. I think those three will
certainly be there.
"I know Harry [Redknapp] is talking up his chances very well at
Tottenham but they're involved in the Champions League and it's a
new thing for them. Particularly if they get through this next
stage, it's not easy to manage European competition at that level
and do the league programme and FA Cup ties. It's very difficult
and usually your experience gets you through. [Manchester] City
have got a chance, of course. That's the other team. And they've
also got the Europa League but maybe they can buy in January. Harry
could maybe buy as well because it's very difficult to manage them
both."
Ferguson has no concerns over a rearranged date for United's
visit to Chelsea, provided it is fair to both clubs' demanding
schedules. The original game was postponed due to the snow last
weekend and may not take place until the end of the season.
"I'm not concerned when it's played," said Ferguson. "So long as
it's fair on both teams in the sense of congestion of fixtures when
the game is actually played and wedging it between certain games.
We've had to look at the fixtures in the last few days and it's
quite a difficult one. It certainly seems like it's not going to be
played until after March at least."