{"id":417244,"date":"2011-05-04T12:35:00","date_gmt":"2011-05-04T12:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/05\/04\/its-a-big-month-for-edwin-van-der-sar-manchester-united\/"},"modified":"2011-05-04T12:35:00","modified_gmt":"2011-05-04T12:35:00","slug":"its-a-big-month-for-edwin-van-der-sar-manchester-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/04\/its-a-big-month-for-edwin-van-der-sar-manchester-united\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s a big month for… Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n

By James Daly<\/h3>\n

4 May 2011 13:35:00<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
\n
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Related Links<\/h4>\n

Teams<\/h4>\n

Players<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

As the season gets into full swing, our Big Month series puts the spotlight on a player for whom the following four-and-a-bit weeks will be pivotal. A decent month and it could set up their season, a poor few weeks and the pressure will continue to build.<\/em>
<\/span><\/p>\n

This month…<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Edwin van der Sar
<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\nA world without Edwin van der Sar<\/a> seems a bit weird; it feels like he’s always been around whether it was donning the gloves for Ajax<\/a>, Juventus<\/a>, Fulham<\/a> or Manchester United<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But at the end of the season the Dutchman with the most famous hands since Vincent van Gogh will call it a day and his 6ft 5in frame will no longer be seen on a football pitch near you – assuming of course that he does not act on the second thoughts he admits he is having.<\/p>\n

Yet the 40-year-old has the chance to wrap up a successful, trophy laden career with two more gongs if his side manage to win the Premier League and Champions League titles.<\/p>\n

Widely regarded as the most consistent shot stopper in the English top flight, the lanky Dutchman has seen off challenges for the United No.1 jersey from the likes of Tim Howard, Tomasz Kuszczak and Ben Foster.<\/p>\n

And if the rumours that Old Trafford’s top brass have secretly pleaded with him to reconsider, new boy Anders Lindegaard might well find himself a serial benchwarmer next term. As it is, the youngster is expected to have the unenviable task of stepping into Van der Sar’s spacious shoes.<\/p>\n

That is unless Ferguson manages to sign another keeper during the summer with the United gaffer constantly linked with the likes of Schalke’s Manuel Neuer, and after the German’s stellar display against Ferguson’s side in the Champions League semi-final first leg you wouldn’t begrudge the Scot if he went back to Germany with a wallet full of cash. Well, Lindegaard might.<\/p>\n

But back to Edwin, who is one of those few footballers that seems to be universally liked and respected nearly everywhere, and that’s unsurprising after a career that has spanned more than 800 games, and seen him set a world record for consecutive minutes without being beaten: 1,311 in the Premier League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
FERGUSON ON VAN DER SAR<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/em>“A magnificent person, professional goalkeeper, an absolute marvellous career he\u2019s had. He\u2019s an example to anyone who wants to become a goalkeeper.”<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

He also has the accolade of being the first goalkeeper to notch 50 clean sheets in the Champions League and is the Netherlands’ most capped player ever, with 130 appearances.<\/p>\n

But he has just four games left in a sparkling career (five if United make the Champions League final which, after a semi-final first leg 2-0 win over Schalke, is likely) and the fixture gods have dealt him some juicy remaining ties.<\/p>\n

First up is Schalke’s visit Old Trafford for what the home side will hope is a straight forward second leg that will see them head to Wembley for a repeat of the Champions League final of 2009. On that occasion Barcelona beat Ferguson’s side 2-0 and the task will be no easier for United, with the Catalans cruising to the final with two comprehensive displays against great rivals Real Madrid.<\/p>\n

Schalke are not to be underestimated; they impressivley smashed five goals past Inter in their own backyard in the quarter-finals but will have had the stuffing knocked out of them after United’s first-leg victory in Germany. Plus United are unbeaten at home all season. It doesn’t look good for Raul and co. but could be another clean sheet for Van der Sar.<\/p>\n

\nUnited could then wrap up the Premier League title if they can avoid defeat against Chelsea at Old Trafford. They have already beaten the Blues at home in the Champions League, and a win at the Theatre of Dreams for the Red Devils would give them a six-point advantage with just two further games left.<\/p>\n

The remaining games against Blackburn (A) and Blackpool (H) will be matches Van der Sar will be aiming to keep more clean sheets in – he’s already kept 21 this season and could end the campaign with an impressive 27.<\/p>\n

Where he goes next only the giant Dutchman knows. There have been hints of a coaching role at United while former club Ajax have also offered him a chance to start his post-playing career back on home soil. Either way he’ll be hoping it will be an exit on a massive high and it will only take five more clean sheets to do so.<\/p>\n

More players to watch out for in May<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"The slow starter – Fernando Torres (Chelsea)<\/span><\/p>\n

He’s done it! He’s finally done it! It may have taken longer than a Nostradamus prediction, but Torres finally opened his account for the Blues and will be keen to repay the \u00a350m Chelsea shelled out for him in January. Strikers thrive on confidence and with a little injection, El Nino could see out the season with a few more goals.

\"\"The man who wasn’t there – Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)<\/span><\/p>\n

Get a good look at Cesc, people, because after another trophyless season for Arsenal it could well be the last time we see him in the Premier League. The summer will no doubt see the transfer mill whir furiously into action with rumours of the Spaniard returning to Barcelona and, quite frankly, who could blame him?<\/p>\n

\"\"The reborn starlet – Matthew Etherington (Stoke)<\/span><\/p>\n

He may be 29 and have a dangerously receding hairline, but when he was a teenager Matthew Etherington was tipped as the answer to England’s left midfield problems. It never really happened but this season the Stoke winger has really impressed and is one of the reasons his side have an FA Cup final this month. He’ll be hoping to shake off hamstring problem to feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

April was a big month for … Dimitar Berbatov
<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\nAt the beginning of April, Goal.com<\/strong> said it would be a big one for Van der Sar’s team-mate Dimitar Berbatov. Here’s how he performed:<\/p>\n

West Ham 2-4 Man United, April 2<\/span>
Goals: 0 Assists: 0<\/strong>
His velvet touch and general air of calmness was crucial to United’s comeback as he linked the play brilliantly. Rating 7.5<\/a><\/p>\n

Chelsea 0-1 Man United, April 6<\/span>
Goals: 0 Assists: 0<\/strong>
Replaced Hernandez 12 minutes from time and showed a few nice touches. Rating N\/A<\/a><\/p>\n

Man United 2-0 Fulham, April 9<\/span>
Goals: 1 Assists: 0<\/strong>
The Bulgarian\u2019s 21st Premier League goal of the season was slotted effortlessly past Schwarzer from the narrowest of offside margins. Rating 7<\/a><\/p>\n

Man City 1-0 Man United, April 16<\/span>
Goals: 0 Assists: 0<\/strong>
Harry Redknapp’s missus could have scored the second first-half sitter wasted by the Bulgarian seconds after he had failed to put away another great chance. Lacked sharpness and his normal composure and subbed as United strived for equaliser. Rating 4.5<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The rest is here:
\nIt’s a big month for… Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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