Edwin out to impress
Reds goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar says tonights friendly against
Serie A champions Inter Milan will provide a stern test for United
as United continue preparations for 2007/08s title
defence.
Speaking exclusively to United Review, the Dutchman says he expects
the match to have more of an edge than the four Asia Tour games and
adds that it is important the team put on a good performance at Old
Trafford.
The game against Inter is our first pre-season game in front of
our fans and everyone is eager to show that were on the right
track, he said.
To do that we must make sure we get off to as good a start as last
season. United have three games in the first week and its
important that we do well in those otherwise you can end up under
pressure straight away. From then on the team will grow and the new
players will learn whats expected of them.
The match is United's most difficult of the summer so far. And
although it is an important part of the squad's preparations for
the new campaign, Edwin says individual players himself included
are fighting for starting places in the first game of the
season.
"You always have to be at your best at United because if you dont
someone else is always ready to take your place, he added. I
didnt have the same consistency at the end of last season as I had
in the previous campaign. I dont know why. But when you make
mistakes, you look at how to improve and then get on with
it.
At 36, van der Sar is inevitably nearing the end of his playing
career but he says nothing will be decided on extending his current
deal until the turn of the year. "Of course last season was a long
campaign but Ive had a long break and feel good," he said. "Im
not thinking about whats going to happen. If Im still enjoying
myself then well see, but nothing will be decided before
January."