Nov 28 2010, 06:51 PM
QUOTE
Sir Alex Ferguson expects Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to retire from playing at the end of the season.
Van der Sar turned 40 at the end of October and the Dutchman remains a reliable presence between the posts for United.
He has yet to give any firm indication of whether he will continue his career beyond this season, but Ferguson is planning for the keeper's retirement.
Ferguson believes that Van der Sar would not want his form to drop and also confirmed he wanted to spend more time with his wife Annemarie, who suffered a brain-related illness last year.
Big loss
"I have come to accept this will be Edwin's last season," Ferguson told The People. "It's sad but the difficulty for a goalkeeper when he gets to 40 is something which happened with 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.
"We had a chat last season about how he saw his future and he explained to me his plans, and nothing has changed from then.
"It's difficult because he has his wife's health to consider after her illness.
"She is fine now and seems to be really good but she still has treatments to get in Holland, with physiotherapy and things like that. So for him to be here with us would be difficult."
The Red Devils have already agreed a deal to sign Denmark international Anders Lindegaard, but Ferguson is considering bringing in another keeper after being linked with the likes of Maarten Stekelenburg, Manuel Neuer and David De Gea.
He added: "We haven't finalised our thoughts on the goalkeeping situation.
"Edwin has massive experience and you can't buy that, so it's a difficult one because he has been a great goalkeeper and will be hard to replace."
Van der Sar turned 40 at the end of October and the Dutchman remains a reliable presence between the posts for United.
He has yet to give any firm indication of whether he will continue his career beyond this season, but Ferguson is planning for the keeper's retirement.
Ferguson believes that Van der Sar would not want his form to drop and also confirmed he wanted to spend more time with his wife Annemarie, who suffered a brain-related illness last year.
Big loss
"I have come to accept this will be Edwin's last season," Ferguson told The People. "It's sad but the difficulty for a goalkeeper when he gets to 40 is something which happened with 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.
"We had a chat last season about how he saw his future and he explained to me his plans, and nothing has changed from then.
"It's difficult because he has his wife's health to consider after her illness.
"She is fine now and seems to be really good but she still has treatments to get in Holland, with physiotherapy and things like that. So for him to be here with us would be difficult."
The Red Devils have already agreed a deal to sign Denmark international Anders Lindegaard, but Ferguson is considering bringing in another keeper after being linked with the likes of Maarten Stekelenburg, Manuel Neuer and David De Gea.
He added: "We haven't finalised our thoughts on the goalkeeping situation.
"Edwin has massive experience and you can't buy that, so it's a difficult one because he has been a great goalkeeper and will be hard to replace."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_6536086,00.html
p/s: 2min slower than boxy!
QUOTE(boxsystem @ Nov 28 2010, 06:49 PM)
NOOOOOOOOOO!!! Might explain the Lindegaard purchase. If PIG left, who will be no.2?
Either someone to come in or Amos?Schweinsteiger fits the bill for Fergie - Exclusive
QUOTE
Manchester United are weighing up a £12million raid for German powerhouse Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The Bayern Munich midfielder is continuing to stall on signing a new contract, with just 18 months left on his current deal, and Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to steal a march on Manchester City and Chelsea by making a move in the New Year.
Bayern are beginning to accept that Schweinsteiger is ready to move on after coming through the ranks at the club.
And although they have already told United that they do not want to lose one of their best players during the season, that will not stop Ferguson from stepping up his interest.
The United boss knows that he will be unable to match either City or Chelsea financially if he waits until the summer.
Ferguson is normally reluctant to do his transfer business in January, but wants to strike first in the race for the 26-year-old.
With Paul Scholes now aged 36, Owen Hargreaves still plagued by fitness problems and Michael Carrick’s long-term future at Old Trafford still undecided, United are desperate for top-class midfield recruits.
Schweinsteiger fits the bill perfectly. He was outstanding when Bayern knocked United out of the Champions League last season and followed that with a sensational World Cup.
Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan have also been linked with Schweinsteiger.
But sources in Germany say he would prefer a move to the Premier League.
Bayern are in some disarray this season and are struggling to make an impact in the Bundesliga despite topping their Champions League group.
The Bayern Munich midfielder is continuing to stall on signing a new contract, with just 18 months left on his current deal, and Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to steal a march on Manchester City and Chelsea by making a move in the New Year.
Bayern are beginning to accept that Schweinsteiger is ready to move on after coming through the ranks at the club.
And although they have already told United that they do not want to lose one of their best players during the season, that will not stop Ferguson from stepping up his interest.
The United boss knows that he will be unable to match either City or Chelsea financially if he waits until the summer.
Ferguson is normally reluctant to do his transfer business in January, but wants to strike first in the race for the 26-year-old.
With Paul Scholes now aged 36, Owen Hargreaves still plagued by fitness problems and Michael Carrick’s long-term future at Old Trafford still undecided, United are desperate for top-class midfield recruits.
Schweinsteiger fits the bill perfectly. He was outstanding when Bayern knocked United out of the Champions League last season and followed that with a sensational World Cup.
Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan have also been linked with Schweinsteiger.
But sources in Germany say he would prefer a move to the Premier League.
Bayern are in some disarray this season and are struggling to make an impact in the Bundesliga despite topping their Champions League group.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Trans...icle639043.html
This post has been edited by alien2003: Nov 28 2010, 06:55 PM
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