Staff : First Team : Edwin Van der Sar

The No.1 slot at United has had its fair share of pretenders since Peter Schmeichel vacated the throne in 1999, but the willowy Dutchman appears the closest thing yet to a ready-made replacement for the great Dane.

An undisclosed signing from Fulham in the summer of 2005, van der Sar has brought all the experience and know-how between the sticks you’d expect to find from a man who is his country’s most-capped player.

His first season at OT saw him start all but five of United’s 56 games, keeping an impressive 24 clean sheets, including five on the spin from his debut.

A UEFA Cup and Champions League winner with his first club Ajax in 1992 and 1995, he also won four league titles and three domestic cups with the Amsterdam outfit, before spending two seasons in Serie A with Juventus.

With the arrival of Gianlugi Buffon at the Stadio delle Alpi threatening his first-team chances, he made a £5 million switch to Fulham in 2001 at the outset of the Londoners’ Premiership adventure, but after four seasons at Craven Cottage United came knocking.

Van der Sar’s solid presence, agility and reliability have been one of the season’s big plusses and his quick and inventive distribution has assisted United’s speedy attacking. Despite his age, he should be around for a good while yet.

Position: Goalkeeper
Appearances: 91
Goals: 0
Joined United: 01 Jun 2005
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed
Previous Clubs: Fulham
United Debut: 09 Aug 2005 v Debreceni VSC (H)
International Holland