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United To Seek Van Der Sar’s Replacement?
Published by Ian John on November 28, 2010
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Sir Alex Ferguson gave advance notice of his January/End of Season intentions this week when he told the media that he felt Edwin Van Der Sar’s time at Old Trafford was up. The Dutchman, who turned 40 at the end of October, has a contract until the end of the season but the United boss feels that it will be his last at the club.
The Scot cited the example of Peter Shilton, who tried to keep goal beyond his 40th birthday before suffering a drastic loss of form, as a reason why this will be Van Der Sar’s last year, along with the fact that the wife of the Dutch keeper may need her husband around a little more after she fell ill after a brain haemorrhage in December 2009.
The news now means that the search for the Dutchman’s replacement is now very much on. With United signing Anders Lindegaard last week, some may argue that the place has already been filled, but with Tomas Kuszczak seemingly certain to leave the club in the summer, Lindegaard has been brought in to learn the ropes from a more experienced first choice keeper, or so it would seem.
Who that first choice will be remains to be seen, but already there is fevered speculation that two names, Atletico Madrid’s David De Gea and Schalke 04′s Manuel Neuer, head the United shopping list.
Both are talented and young enough. De Gea has impressed since earning a chance in the Atletico first team last season and certainly has potential. However at 20 years of age, does he have the experience that Sir Alex has highlighted himself is vital for the goalkeeping position at Old Trafford. Germany number one, Neuer, currently at Schalke 04, is a tad older at 24 and has much more experience. However, Schalke have already started quoting telephone numbers when it comes to any transfer fee and it is unlikely United are going to be willing to pay a fee that approaches the world record £30m Juventus paid several years ago to sign Gianluigi Buffon from Parma.
Interestingly enough, Buffon may be an option. The keeper has not been at his best for Juventus for several years and it seems that a deal could be possible. Similarly, United have even been linked with a deal for Iker Casillas – though this seems more to be the ramblings of the most optimistic Manchester United fan, rather than a genuine interest on United’s behalf. Another option could be Fiorentina keeper Sebastien Frey who has shown promise over the past few years. Lyon’s Hugo Lloris is another mooted in the papers. However the real answer for Sir Alex could come a lot closer to home.
Do we know of any Premier League clubs with a World Class goalkeeper sat in the stands each week, who would want a move? Who is experienced at the highest level and yet young enough to last a good few years at Premier League level? United fans may cite Pepe Reina at Anfield, more out of mischief than belief, but the real answer perhaps lies even closer to home.
Shay Given anyone?
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