The globally renowned Manchester United are set to lose their veteran goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar as he pushes 40 years old. The Dutchman is considered one of the best keepers in the world and has won some of the toughest competitions in the world such as the Champions League and Premier League.The club's goalkeeping coach Eric Steele has stated that he believes Edwin will hang up his gloves as early as next summer. But he also feels this depends on whether or not the veteran can achieve one last goal which has proved elusive so far. He has never won a an FA cup and sources believe this will be the deciding factor in his eagerness to leave.
One of the driving factors for Van Der Sar's retirement is not his age, but the decision to spend more time with his wife Annemarie who suffered a brain haemorrhage last year. She is currently undergoing treatment back in their home country of Holland which makes it hard for the family man to be so far away.
Manager Ferguson has also compared Van Der Sar to legend 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."
The reds have made some contingency plans by signing 26 year old Danish Anders Lindegaard who, because of the Danish football seasons, could move in the January transfer window. But it is obvious Lindegaard is not United's number 1 as they have continued their hunt for keeper talent, with interest in German national keeper Manual Neuer and Maarten Stekelenburg of Holland.
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