August 31st 2010, Edwin Van der Sar: “I don’t worry about when that day arrives. I am now exceeding my own expectations so it doesn’t bother me. When I was younger I thought maybe I would finish in my mid-30s. But that is a normal time to be thinking about it when you are younger and for players at this level. That would have been the obvious time to finish, but I only came to United late in my career and maybe that is why I am still enjoying it. Coming to Old Trafford probably gave me a new lease of life.”
October 7th 2010, Eric Steele: “I think Ed has made his mind up and said this is his last year.”
October 8th 2010, Edwin Van der Sar: “That’s complete nonsense. I don’t yet know whether I will stop or continue after this season. Only in the course of this season will I think about it. Then I will decide and not before.”
November 28th 2010, Sir Alex Ferguson: “I have come to accept this will be Edwin’s last season. It’s sad but the difficulty for a goalkeeper when he gets to 40 is something which happened with Peter Shilton. All of a sudden, because of age, Shilton’s form just collapsed and I don’t think Edwin would want that. He is such a proud man and it’s going to be a big loss. We had a chat last season about how he saw his future and he explained to me his plans, and nothing has changed from then. It’s difficult because he has his wife’s health to consider after her illness. She is fine now and seems to be really good but she still has treatments to get in Holland, with physiotherapy and things like that. So for him to be here with us would be difficult.”
December 23rd 2010, Sir Alex Ferguson: “We are planning for this being his last season.”
Man Utd News 24/7
now if only van der gea replaces him……….
A really big loss.
Gutted but it had to happen sometime.
I know we have to look for experience but I’d also like a bit of youth as well. In that respect I think we wouldn’t do too badly sigining Hugo Lloris.. If we can get someone in who’s good with the ball at their feet, all the better.
Many thanls VdS !
thanks for the memories mate! brilliant keeper.
The story is still a bit complicated though. According to reports, VDS told the Dutch media that he still hadn’t made up his mind just one week ago.
Very saddened to hear this, but we all knew it was bound to happen. VDS is one of the best goalkeepers we’ve ever had, and one of my favourite players (for obvious reasons)
Make this last season the best one Edwin!
what do you guys think of Neuer? Excellent for Germany in the WC…young but experienced (unlike De Gea who hasn’t had a WC or CL game under his belt), German (Iberian players normally want to go back to Spain etc) and has the Schmiechel presence about him! On a side note, who was the last German to play for Man Utd?
not a surprise. It was coming. Expect the club to have done their homework, find a suitable replacement and not fuck up this time like we did after Schmeichel
LEGEND
To be fair, how do you about replacing someone like Schmeichel? It’s easy said, but harder to do my friend. I’m thinking De Gea, or the guy from Ajax.
Thank-you Van Der Sar
With him we rediscovered the team within us.
That’s what he did – and that will never be forgotten.
Nooo. He’s been so integral to us, this is gonna leave a gaping hole in my heart.
Sorry to bring this tool in to this thread, Rafa is a goner, just confirmed by Inter.
Good luck to VDS, and many thanks for the memories.
thats the clubs problem. we have a good scouting network, give trials to so many keepers, go and watch them, so the club should know who is best to replace a certain player,no ?
It seems to me that Fergie and Eric are making the decisions here, i havent seen any statement from VDS saying he wishes to retire this year. I really hope he doesnt though, would be a great loss of such an experienced player at the back.
Yeah aig, but it’s not easy replacing world class players. That’s why United went through loads of keepers, until we got the right one VDS.
I don’t expect us to find another VDS straight away, but we can do better than Bosnich or Taibi this time.
well, you expect the club to know who is the right replacement. In VDS’s case he has been pondering retiring for the last few seasons, so the club had enough time to study and monitor all the options available
I wanna hear it from Edwin!
I hope the FSW finds another job soon. We need a few laughs in our lives…
KRAP.
I’m sure the club has identified the man they want to take over from VDS. Let SAF and the staff worry about that mate. Lindegaard can’t play until after the Stoke game, maybe he’ll be on the bench for the cup game against the dippers.
Barcelona vs Manchester United on 30th july 2011 in Washington.
@Aman
On a side note, who was the last German to play for Man Utd?
No German has played for United
Could you imagine chants of “Deutschland, Deutschland über alles” ringing round the stadium in celebration of the arrival of Neuer – with him knowing full well his grand dad bombed the fucking place!!!
UTD have two big “replacement issues”: first, replacing Edwin with someone who is not only commanding in the area but also skilful in distributing the ball at his feet; and, second, a “quarterback” to play in the ScholesRole. The first one is the more significant because a commanding, reliable keeper is the foundation of the defence and the defence is the foundation of all winning teams.
AIG – what’s that abt us and barca at washington?
Jeet
pre season match
Aig alex is god – who are you ?
FSW officially sacked.
Neuer, Lloris and Rui Patricio (the guy from Sporting Lisbon, which is cheaper than the other options)
@denton davey
i second that…to all who are asking for neuer he is not good at exactly what denton davey is pointing at commanding the area, there are some others who are better than him…he is a great shot stopper and no better than Ben foster in terms that…
LEGEND !!! One of the greatest keepers ever
an example for what i was saying in my previous post Regarding neuer
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/6640982/
this is in august 2010, after the worldcup….
i, for one, think it should be his last season, because even though he has made some very good saves this year, his distribution is not up to par, and it is probably down to the fact that the power in his legs are giving away – he is 40, mind you.
Vulnerable, Defective And Substandard (posted: 11/7/10) …
http://www.theunitedreligion.com/2010/11/vulnerable-defective-and-substandard.html
LEGEND indeed
And no to Stekelenburg!
Dank U wel Edwin !
It is likely that this is Edwin’s last season. Still a possibility of 1 more year.
Either way, we need an experienced keeper, of no less than 30 years of age.
There is no way that SAF didn’t learn from Van der Sar’s late arrival.
Gianlugi Buffon is 32.
It’s only an assumption that he may finish up this season,what’s not an assumption is any journalist who misquotes any statement by Sir Alex will be banned indefinately from his press conferences in future.
VDS is the Giggs of GK’s.. He has performed for such a long time.. legend.
So we are now suspecting SAF threw dice or flipped coins when he signed Taibi/Bosnich/Barthez/Howard etc etc? I mean come on, he REALLY knows better than most, if not all, of us.
It’s like he WANTED to sign poor keepers. Sometimes, it just doesn’t turn out right. Like the hugely-supported Ben Foster.
All those names thrown in the air, are we really going to believe he hasn’t asked anyone to look at them? Or maybe SAF needs to start putting his faith in FM 2011.
*typo*
It’s NOT like he WANTED to sign poor keepers.
Taibi 30
Bosnich 17 to 19 and 27 to 31
Barthez 29 to 33
Howard 24 to 28
Schmeical 28 to 36
Van der Sar 35 to 40+
I guess these stats don’t confirm my previous assertion, that 30+ is best with keepers.
However, there is no substitute for experience. Quality is a pre-requisite, but not enough.
Just seeing the name Barthez just sends shivers down my spine!
What fergie saw in that French dwarf of a clown I will never know.
The cock ups at Highbury and making (the original) Ronaldo look brilliant are two of his finest low-lights!
Red Simmo – bartez was very much established has one of the worlds best GK’s before he came to united. He had his ups and downs but he done a really good job when he was at united. He had 2 good seasons in the 2000/01 season, and the 2002/03 season.
fergie is the boss
I will give him one outstanding save at anfield where he arguably won us the match.
Thereafter – pretty much a liability
His reputation was largely built upon him keeping behind one of the best defences in world football as in the French national team – part of which joined him at united when he was 48!
Good old Larry White
Red Simmo – I had watched bartez before he came 2 united and some of the saves he had made were outstanding. At times he was sensational, bartez was a quality keeper and his time at monaco he was quality. The problem was his size was a big problem when he came to the premiership has all keepers need to domminate his area, and they need to be well past 6 feet tall
We have been blessed with two world class goalkeepers in Schmeichel and Van Der Sar, the latter a signing that was 6 years too late in my opinion. I would like to see us go for Neuer as his replacement.
Ferg – I agree, a fair appraisal of his attributes.
The save I refer to at Anfield was spectacular in the sense of how high he sprung his body, almost horizontally and tipped the shot over the bar (was it Hamman who shot it?) but as you say he was so lacking in the commanding of his area.
He was also too often caught off his line as well.
For a small keeper facing free kicks he would often stand well infront of his line and then crouch down – why?
It was Hamman – wait for the replay to see what a bloody good save this was!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P4UZ4LkwtA&playnext=1&list=PLD7647B566240C31B&index=19
Barthez could have been the solution to our problem. But after his first great season, he lost his focus. But as Red Simmo points out, that was an awesome save at Anfield. He might have been shorter than Edwn or Schmikes, but he made up for his positioning. When he was on his game anyway.
Another fine moment of his when he psyched out Malbranque before a penalty at Loftus Road.
*made up with his positioning*
Fucking hell. Of course the club have an idea who to replace him with. Do you think they just sit still and take a guess? How do we know Lindergaard may not be a direct replacement? He could well be. I like Neur out of them all.
OOOh we are playing Barca in a year. So what? At least some can marvel and wank over them.
Yor Yor – Spot on mate. It is unbelievable some comments on here. Of course the club know what they are doing.
Red Simmo – I have never been a fan of small keepers, VDS and schmeicheal relyed allot on their size to make some big saves. look at pete his size would make the goal smaller, schmeicheal is my size I am about 6 ft 4 or 5, and all my mates when I was playing footie in small footie compitions I always had to play in goal because I was the biggest.
It tough to replace top players, I’ve got full trust in the gaffer and the rest of the staff. This is a big one, to replace VDS will be a challenge, but hey, SAF knows his fucking stuff! Ah fuck it, sign Pepe Reina.
Don’t know if Lindegaard is the one, but with Kuszczak possibly leaving, we will definitely need another goalie.
aig – Where did you get the info that Ronnie aint happy? Cannot find it anywhere. Also couldn’t find the Ronaldinho one. The one I found said he was practically a Gremio player.
King Eric – the rumour of Ronaldo being unsettled were doing the rounds a week ago and it wasn’t the first time.
King Eric – the question is? is ronaldo happy anywhere. He was not happy at united when he was winning titles and winning world player of the year, and now he has had his so called dream move happen last summer he still aint happy. If he met god and was given special powers to do anything he still would not be happy. Like he says only god knows if he is happy and the big man upstairs I doubt will say a word
Personally I’d feel more at ease if we get someone in who’s established and has experience at the top level. Lindergaard may be the replacement we don’t know as of yet. He could be as good as VDS and Schmeichel or a clown like Carroll or Ricardo. The goalkeeping position you can only fuck around with for so long. Look what happened to us in the past and l’arse now. Would we have won the Champions League without VDS? I don’t think so.
FITB – He’s getting his bell end polished every week and he plays for Madrid, god love him.
Dear Mr van der Saar, Thanks for your exceptional service to this club. You have been an absolutely phenomenal player for us, but your qualities as a man have also been well recognized and praised. You will be remembered long for your superb qualities on and off the pitch. As you move forward in life, we hope you find more time to spend with your lovely wife. We wish you and your family many many years of happiness. We also you remember us fondly, and hope you come to spend many hours here in Manchester to visit with us and the team. We love you deeply for your time here. We will never forget you. Long live Edwin van der Saar. Long live United. Glory glory.
the lads and lasses at ROM
Thank you for everything Edwin!
THANKS MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The big Dutch man isn’t done yet, though the 19th title would be a nice way to see him off.
I think LLORIS the Olympique Lyonnais goaly is suitable to join us…
A real shame, such a top ‘keeper and so reliable. I really hope we don’t go back to the Howard / Barthez / Taibi etc days when I was shitting myself everytime a shot came in thinking it was going in.
I hope Anders Lindegard is an able replacement.
willierednut- yet he is barca’s bitch
FITB – lol. He has been mate in all the El classicos.
If we want the cheaper option, then the lad from Ajax would be the choice. If we want to push the boat out and spend some money, cough cough, then De Gea is the man I’d go for.
This will be a big loss – Edwin’s a quality keeper and person.
It will be interesting to see what we do. I’m not totally convinced by Kuz or Ben Amos (so far) and Lindegaard really hasn’t been tested at the top level yet.
I forgot to add, if we want a keeper so ugly, that every striker going through on goal feels physically sick, then Katie Price is the one for United.
I personally have no problem with Kuszczak for a year or more while we see what is up with Lindegaard. Amos is too small for our number one and that is that. Like the lad but at 6.1 there is no chance.
If we go abroad there are alot of lesser knowns that could surprise us. Of the names being bandied about, think Alder (Germany) and de Gae (Spain) are out because of history and national team prospects. Bet we could go for Buffon (chance to win something new), Steklenberg (chance to win something period). Dark horses could be Robinson or Thomas Sorenson if we want a tried Prem keeper. Don’t crucify me on the last two, only admiring them both for super work behind very suspect defenses.
I would have gone for Robinson just before he joined Spurs should have got him when we bought Smith off leads but not now.
@NotoriousRedDevil
Me too pal, me too! I was gutted we missed out on Robinson, I thought he would have been a fantastic ‘keeper for us!
Transfer window is opening. Just wondering if it’s released to make it easier to tie up a deal now for new keeper to join next summer. If you noticed the way Fergie said it, it’s still open to VdS to continue. He is not saying that VdS told him he doesn’t want to continue next season.
really don’t know why is playing aswell as ever he’s so cool and calm,never seems to panic or get flustered and his distribution either by feet or throw is superb i still rate him as one of the top goalies in the world.
Flash for me,but I also thought Joe Cole would have done a treat.How wrong can you be.
Again it’s about time for the Red Devils to endure similar agony. Peter Schmeichel’s departure, and especially the clowns who replaced him, still hurts. Edwin will go down as one of our best ever shot stopper. We love you Edwin. All the best.