Van der Sar Holds Firm

Edwin van der Sar is sticking to his guns and hanging up his gloves at the end of this season, despite the pleas of more than 70,000 fans privileged to watch his world-class performance against Arsenal.

United’s 40 year-old goalkeeper was only caught off guard once on Saturday evening – and that was when MUTV’s Stewart Gardner opened his interview by asking if he’d consider not retiring at the end of the campaign.

“I thought that was maybe going to be the last question, so I could prepare myself!” said Edwin with a smile.

In another post-match interview, van der Sar said he wouldn’t change his mind, even if he enjoyed the crowd singing “Fergie, Fergie sign him up.”

Sir Alex responded on MUTV: "He’s a fantastic goalkeeper, obviously. We just wish he was only 21 instead of coming up to 41. Nature catches eventually in life.”

Meanwhile Wayne Rooney confirmed the fans aren't the only group wanting Edwin to reverse his decision to retire, telling MUTV: "The players are trying to persuade him to stay on too! It's his decision so we've got to respect that but he's such a great goalkeeper and despite the age he's at now, for me he's still the best keeper in the world. He deserves credit."

Edwin modestly summarised his performance as “a couple of good saves in the first half and one or two in the second half. It’s great to help your team and it’s always nice as a player to get the recognition.”

The veteran stopper can now look forward to keeping goal at Wembley again, on 16 or 17 April, when United contest an FA Cup semi-final. The ever-sagely Edwin will save his excitement for another occasion, however.

“[Playing at Wembley] is more special when it’s the final. It doesn’t do a lot for you when you lose a semi-final there. This game is about winning trophies and although we’re at Wembley, we’re still one match away from the final so we have to make sure we get there.

“It would be great to win the FA Cup – [Edwin has never done so before] - but I wouldn’t mind one of the other trophies also!”