Van der Sar Reveals Rashford Respect

Edwin van der Sar has revealed a touching moment from Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford in the immediate aftermath of last season's Europa League final.

While some players would only have been thinking about getting hold of the trophy and their winner's medal, the young striker took time to have a word with Reds legend van der Sar, who is CEO at Ajax, United's opponents in Stockholm.

Van der Sar namechecked Rashford as somebody to watch when interviewed by ManUtd.com in May 2015, ahead of the Legends game with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford. At that point, the youngster was still nine months away from making his first-team debut against Midtjylland and forcing his way into the side on a regular basis.

With the Dutch keeper back on duty for Bryan Robson's side for the big game with Barcelona at Old Trafford on 2 September, he spoke again about the England international and relayed how Rashford asked about his son Joe, who was a team-mate of the 19-year-old growing up in the youth sides at Old Trafford.

"The moments that he got under Louis van Gaal, and the times with Jose Mourinho, we have seen his electric pace and good technique," van der Sar told ManUtd.com.

"The funny thing, that is nice, is my son also played in the Academy at United and, when the players collected the trophy [in Stockholm], Marcus asked: 'How is your son doing?'

"It was a nice little touch and I wish him, of course, all the best for the coming year in the United team."

Joe van der Sar is currently with ADO Den Haag after previously being at Ajax.