Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is being linked with Manchester United to succeed the incredibily successful Van Der Sar.

Oranje VI reported this week that the Holland No1 is being lined up by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson for a move to Old Trafford in 12 months time.

Ferguson sees Stekelenburg as the ideal successor for his veteran Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar, who is expected to retire at the end of the coming season.

Stekelenburg is aware of the talk and would jump at the chance of a dream move to United.

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has admitted he never expected his stay at the club to last as long as it has.

Van der Sar told Inside United: "I still believed I was doing enough to play for a bigger team but you need someone to take a gamble, which Sir Alex Ferguson did. At the time I was 34 so I didn't expect to be here six years.
Testimonial

"I thought that I would be at United for two years and then maybe go and do something else. Instead I am steadily trying to reach my testimonial."

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Edwin Van der Sar admits he loves being in the thick of the action for Manchester United.

The Dutch shot-stopper has been plagued by injuries this term and missed United's start to the campaign as well as a large spell at Christmas.

He's been key to the Red Devil's surge in the second part of the season, though, which he says he is thrilled about.

The 39-year-old says that watching or listening to a game instead of playing is hard for him to do.
It's easier to play

"It is easier to play yourself than watching or listening," he said. "Listening to the radio is horrible."

Manchester United number one Edwin van der Sar is reportedly ready to sign a 12 month contract extension at Old Trafford. The 39-year-old veteran was widely expected to retire at the end of the season to leave Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak vying for the number one jersey, however the Sun claim the former Holland international feels he can give the Premier League champions yet another year.

Tomasz Kuszczak says he plans to hold onto the Manchester United No.1 shirt after enduring a long spell in the wilderness at the club. Kuszczak started the season third in the pecking order at Old Trafford, behind veteran Edwin van der Sar and England prospect Ben Foster.

An injury to first-choice van der Sar gave Foster the chance to make the position his own - only for a series of high-profile errors to ensure the 26-year-old made a return to the subs bench. The poor run of form has given Kuszczak a prolonged run in the side having started in United's last six outings.

DUTCH veteran Edwin van der Sar is poised to give the green light to another 12 months at Old Trafford - if offered a new deal. The Manchester United keeper, 39, is under contract until the end of the season after signing an extension last year.

It was widely expected the current campaign would be his last as he made way for Tomasz Kuszczak or Ben Foster. United have also been linked with a move for Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer.

Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has admitted he is hoping to force his way back into the champions’ starting line up as the Red Devils face two important cup ties in the space of four days.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men take on Leeds United in the FA Cup this afternoon before a League Cup semi-final against Manchester City on Wednesday and Foster is keeping his fingers crossed for a rare chance to impress.

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is to travel to Holland for a fresh assessment of his knee injury. The Dutch international has not played since he collided with Tim Cahill in a match against Everton on 21 November.

"Edwin is going back to Holland," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "It is a change of scenery and the Holland team doctor will have a look at the injury."

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has reportedly been granted compassionate leave as his wife is said to be seriously ill, according to The Daily Mail.

It is believed that 36-year-old Annmarie collapsed at home as the shot-stopper and the rest of his family were preparing to celebrate Christmas. The Dutchman had previously been given permission to his home country during the festive period and receive treatment for a knee injury from a Netherlands team doctor.