Edwin Van der Sar says Manchester United can challenge Barcelona

UEFA Champions League Final, Barcelona v Manchester United, Edwin van der Sar

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Edwin van der Sar has stated that there is no reason that Manchester United cannot beat Barcelona in the next few years.

Van der Sar retired at the end of the season, with his last appearance coming in the Champions League final defeat to the Catalans.

Following that disappointment, Sir Alex Ferguson has already begun reinforcing his team, adding defender Phil Jones, with moves for Ashley Young and Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea on the Scot’s agenda.

With these signings, Van der Sar believes that United can only get better.

“Of course they will improve and grow next year – and that’s what they have to do,” Van der Sar is quoted as saying by talkSPORT.

“At the minute Barcelona are better than us and that happens – sometimes in your life you come up against people who are better than you; it’s what sport is about. So you have to learn to compete against them.

“At this moment we aren’t good enough and that hurts, but there’s no reason why the team cannot come back next year and the year after.

“I won’t be there but I will be watching! I know the manager will build a team that is capable of challenging Barcelona; it will be a big incentive for him.”