London: Manchester United have begun the planning for Edwin van der Sar's retirement this summer by scouting Maarten Stekelenburg, who followed Van der Sar with Ajax and Holland.
United acknowledged they had been watching Ajax's tall Stekelenburg, 28. Sir Alex Ferguson believes United have "learned" about the importance of preparing for the future following Peter Schmeichel's exit in 1999. The Treble-winners spent the following season using Mark Bosnich, Raimond van der Gouw and Massimo Taibi.
Better organised
"We hope we're better organised this time," said Ferguson, speaking at Carrington before training. "I made a mistake. I should have taken Van der Sar at that time but didn't do. We tried several goalkeepers in the interim before I eventually got Edwin. Hopefully we'll be better prepared this time. We've learned from that."
United have also looked at two keepers, Atletico Madrid's David de Gea, 20, and Sporting Lisbon's Rui Patricio, 22. Stekelenburg is far more experienced, having played in last summer's World Cup final.
"Stekelenburg is indeed a keeper who is at the top of our wanted list," Ferguson's assistant, Rene Meulensteen, told Dutch radio. "We naturally talk a lot among ourselves about who should replace Van der Sar. Alex Ferguson has spoken about Stekelenburg with Edwin, and that does not seem strange to me at all."
Whoever starts in goal for United next season has big gloves to fill. Since joining United from Fulham for £2 million (Dh11.6 million) in 2005, some of Van der Sar's saves in his 243 games have been breathtaking. He has earned constant praise for his ability to play as a "sweeper-keeper", anticipating danger quickly, and for his excellent distribution, not forgetting that astonishing run of 1,311 League minutes unbeaten in the 2008-09 season.
European combat has often brought the best out of him. One superb stop somehow denied the mighty Lionel Messi of Barcelona. One right-foot thunderbolt from Inter Milan's Dejan Stankovic was tipped away in the San Siro. His finest moment for United came in the rain in Moscow, guessing Nicolas Anelka's penalty intentions and diving to his right to win the Champions League in 2008.
Still lean and alert, there is a feeling that Van der Sar actually leaves too soon, that 40 should not be deemed closing time for a keeper who has always kept himself fit.
"He could [carry on for another year]," agreed Ferguson. "But I think he wants to go out at the very top. "It's pointless trying to be Superman into your forties and there always has to be a time for everyone in football. It's one of the sad parts of my job when you see players eventually get to the stage where age takes over.
Hit the wall
"You know they're going to hit the wall sometime. All Edwin is doing is making sure that he doesn't hit the wall while he's at United."
While Van der Sar prepares to leave, Dimitar Berbatov is expected to extend a contract that expires in 18 months and United indicated yesterday their keenness for him to stay. Ferguson confirmed that Berbatov, who turns 30 tomorrow, would remain at Old Trafford. "Yes. It's not an issue. He's under contract at the moment."
—The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2011
Does Stekelenburg have what it takes to fill Van der Sar's shooes? Is there anyone else qualified to fill the position? Tell us by posting a comment below.
