da spicy bet： The race is on for Sir Alex Ferguson to unearth a replacement for Dutch legend Edwin van der Sar who looks increasingly likely to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
da heads bet： Van der Sar arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2005 and immediately looked at ease in the United goalkeeping jersey with a series of impressive performances. His reputation and experience meant he was the perfect fit for a United side that had previously been undermined by the questionable talents of fellow stoppers Massimo Taibi, Mark Bosnich and Roy Carroll.
The 39-year-old has won three league titles and one European Cup during his time at United and has also been named in the PFA Team of the Year on two separate occasions. However his contract with the Red Devils expires this summer and despite the chance of a new deal, Van der Sar looks set to retire from the game at the end of the season and call time on his glittering career.
United’s goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, who works with the veteran on a daily basis at the club’s Carrington training complex, revealed that he believes the former Ajax player will call it a day come May:
“I think Ed has made his mind up and said this is his last year.
“I don’t think he will need myself or the manager to tell him that time has come – he will know.
“I think we need him because this team is in transition at the moment. If he gets to Christmas and he thinks it is right to go on and the manager thinks it is right, we will make a decision.
“It is down to how he feels and performs. If he doesn’t perform the manager will make the decision. Edwin will as well.”
While the custodian may yet choose to continue for another year, it is clear that United need to find his replacement sooner, rather than later. United only have Tomasz Kuszczak and the inexperienced Ben Amos in reserve, with neither viewed as the long-term successor to the aging Van der Sar.
One name which continues to be linked with a summer move to Manchester is Atletico Madrid’s David De Gea. Fergie watched the youngster in action against Valencia last month on a Champions League scouting mission and is thought to be a keen admirer of the 19-year-old. De Gea ousted fellow highly-rated Spanish stopped Sergio Asenjo as the club’s first choice-goalkeeper in January and has grown into one of La Liga’s most consistent stoppers since. He was also an assured presence in the club’s successful pursuit of the Europa League title last season.
Out of the candidates to become the Dutchman’s successor, including Igor Akinfeev, Hugo Lloris and Maarten Stekelenberg, De Gea remains the most unproven and least experienced. Yet his talent and potential to grow into one of the best goalkeepers in the world remains undisputed. A summer move is not guaranteed however, with the Spaniard hinting about the posibility of signing a contract extension at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in the new year. Although you would imagine if Ferguson came calling the youngster would find a move to the 18 time league champions hard to resist.
De Gea has been tipped to eventually replace Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas in goal for Spain and is believed to be available for around £12-15m. United do however face competition from Spanish champions Barcelona for the player’s signature.
De Gea has started this season in superb form and certainly looks set for a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs. Whether he will become a United player, or not, remains to be seen.
Who do you think should be United’s next goalkeeper? Leave your comments below.
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