Goalkeeper Van der Sar, 38, announced in June this
would be his final season. But Manchester United boss Ferguson has
told the Dutch ace he will keep the No1 shirt for next
campaign.
Fergie also gave Van der Sar the option to sign up for
another season after that. It was only the guarantee that he would
still be first choice next campaign that convinced the Dutchman to
continue.
It had been thought that England international Ben
Foster would get his chance next season but he may now look to go
on loan next season or even leave.
Van der Sar has enjoyed a glittering career starting at
Ajax where he won four titles and the Champions League in 1995. He
moved on to Juventus and then Fulham before joining United in June
2005.
Ferguson has since described him as the best goalkeeper
the club has had since Peter Schmeichel.
Van der Sar — who has played over 160 games for the
Reds — will go down in United legend for his sudden-death penalty
save from Nicolas Anelka that won last season’s Champions League
against Chelsea.