Glory Glory Man Utd

The oldest member in the squad (he will be 40 in 29th October) and still one of the most important figure in the current Manchester United team. Last season was thought to be his final but after both his understudies failed to impressed, the tall Dutchman is set to be between the United goal post yet again. Judging from his performance at Charity Shield last week, don’t be surprised if he’s still the club No.1 for at least two more years.

Edwin Van Der Sar moved to Manchester United on 10 June 2005 for a reported fee of £2 million.  He won his first Premier League trophy with Manchester United in 2007 and was also named in 2006-07 PFA Team of The Year. In 2009, broke the Premier League and overall English record for consecutive clean sheet by staying unbeaten for 1,311 minutes (14 games +). It was also a world record for a single season clean sheet eclipsing 1,289 minutes by José María Buljubasich’s at Chilean Clausura in 2005. These clean sheets were a major factor in United clinching their 11th Premiership title as United won a lot of games 1–0 to clinch the title ahead of Liverpool.

That year, Edwin Van Der Sar won the Premier League Goalkeeper and was also voted as Best European Goalkeeper, an award he won back in 1995 when he still at Ajax.  He was considered as the best goalkeeper the club ever had since Peter Schmeichel.   Edwin Van Der Sar is one of the few  unique footballers to have won the UEFA Champions League with two different teams, having won it with Ajax in 1995 and Manchester United in 2008.

One thing about Edwin Van Der Sar – he is a very calm and composed goalkeeper. He is also good with his kick, which is so important in today’s football, where a lot of pass back were made to goal keeper and the rules does not allow him to use his hand when receiving a pass from a team mate. His height (1.97m) makes him very commanding in the penalty area where plenty of high balls were played by English clubs. All these attributes makes the defence feel more confidence and relax while doing their job. Therefore, they can concentrate on doing the jobs better and help prevent their opponent from scoring against United.

It is always difficult to play for Manchester United – the expectations are high and many had failed to cope with the pressure being one of the greatest clubs in the world (Remember Bosnich, Taibi, Barthez and Caroll?). Nonetheless, the Dutchman has proved that he is good enough to play for the Red Devils. In fact his role in 2008 Champion League final is enough for him to be inducted in Manchester United’s Hall of Fame. Glory Glory Manchester United.

- Edwin Van Der Sar

2010| Glory Glory Man Utd