redmaster
14-12-2006, 10:27 AM
Edwin van der Sar has signed a fresh one-year deal at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed.
The 36-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Fulham 18 months ago and has been a consistent figure ever since taking over the number one jersey.
An obviously delighted Ferguson feels van der Sar could continue for at least another two years and has wasted little time in extending his current stay.
"Our approach with players in their 30s is to give them one-year contracts that's what we did with Denis Irwin," Ferguson told The Daily Mirror.
"He signed one-year deals before he eventually left when he was 36. There's nothing wrong with that and we've given Edwin another one-year contract.
"Edwin's fit, he's lean, he's hungry and he can play for another two years, easy.
"He's probably got a new lease of life since coming to United.
"He did well at Fulham, having been at Juventus previously. But coming to us has given him an extra spur that a lot of goalkeepers get at that age.
"He's done really well for us and he's good in the dressing room, too.
"He's not a terribly demonstrative person - he's not like Schmeichel for instance. But what he says has got an authority about it because he's been there and that experience and personality help."
The 36-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Fulham 18 months ago and has been a consistent figure ever since taking over the number one jersey.
An obviously delighted Ferguson feels van der Sar could continue for at least another two years and has wasted little time in extending his current stay.
"Our approach with players in their 30s is to give them one-year contracts that's what we did with Denis Irwin," Ferguson told The Daily Mirror.
"He signed one-year deals before he eventually left when he was 36. There's nothing wrong with that and we've given Edwin another one-year contract.
"Edwin's fit, he's lean, he's hungry and he can play for another two years, easy.
"He's probably got a new lease of life since coming to United.
"He did well at Fulham, having been at Juventus previously. But coming to us has given him an extra spur that a lot of goalkeepers get at that age.
"He's done really well for us and he's good in the dressing room, too.
"He's not a terribly demonstrative person - he's not like Schmeichel for instance. But what he says has got an authority about it because he's been there and that experience and personality help."