27-09-2009, 04:20 PM
Van der Sar has targeted the Premier League clash with Bolton on October 17 for his return from the finger injury that has sidelined him since pre-season, and that could be bad news for England hopeful Ben Foster.
And Van der Sar told Sunday Mirror Sport his hunger for more United success means he is likely to sign a contract extension that will take him to 2011 and into his 40s.
Van der Sar, close to agreeing to a World Cup comeback for Holland, said: “I don’t want to pack it in. At the end of my holiday this summer, I was itching to go back to the training ground.
“I have the hunger to win the Champions League again. It does not matter that I won it in the past.
“The season could not start soon enough for me and it was unfortunate I got injured. After our pre-season tour in Korea, I said something about my future and the next day it was all over the back pages that I wanted to ruin Foster’s World Cup dream.
“That was nonsense. Foster got more playing time than ever last season because I was taking rests.
“I think Foster has done well as my replacement. But I still work as hard as all the others at training, whether I’m old enough to be their dad or not.”
After winning the European Cup with Ajax and United, the agony of last season’s final defeat to Barcelona has sharpened his desire to win the trophy again.
And he believes that while Real Madrid have Cristiano Ronaldo, it is the presence of Sir Alex Ferguson that gives United the edge.
Van der Sar said: “I am not concerned by what Real Madrid have done. It is all about the team spirit. Eleven Cristiano Ronaldos wouldn’t lead to success.
“I know some people think differently. But when you play with 11 Ronaldos, not many of them would care about defensive duties.
“Three English clubs were among the last four in the Champions League last season. Everyone knows the Premier League is the best in the world.
“But because we lost to Barca and Real buy some big names, suddenly we have to be in awe of Spanish football.
“Of course, Ronaldo was a big player for us. And we have to change our team a bit now. But we will do that. United is a lot bigger than Ronaldo.”
He added: “Alex Ferguson is the man who guarantees continuity at this club. He has built an empire and a group of loyal and trustworthy people around him and the team.
“He does not need to be at the training ground every day. He does not even have to try and influence me to sign again.
“As a player you know what you have got at United because of all the staff around Fergie. They are all great people. The trick is that as a player here, you know you are employed by a multi-million pound football company, but inside it feels as if you are surrounded by family.”
Its good to see Edwin is still hungry which will only lead to him working harder and putting in better perfomances.
And Van der Sar told Sunday Mirror Sport his hunger for more United success means he is likely to sign a contract extension that will take him to 2011 and into his 40s.
Van der Sar, close to agreeing to a World Cup comeback for Holland, said: “I don’t want to pack it in. At the end of my holiday this summer, I was itching to go back to the training ground.
“I have the hunger to win the Champions League again. It does not matter that I won it in the past.
“The season could not start soon enough for me and it was unfortunate I got injured. After our pre-season tour in Korea, I said something about my future and the next day it was all over the back pages that I wanted to ruin Foster’s World Cup dream.
“That was nonsense. Foster got more playing time than ever last season because I was taking rests.
“I think Foster has done well as my replacement. But I still work as hard as all the others at training, whether I’m old enough to be their dad or not.”
After winning the European Cup with Ajax and United, the agony of last season’s final defeat to Barcelona has sharpened his desire to win the trophy again.
And he believes that while Real Madrid have Cristiano Ronaldo, it is the presence of Sir Alex Ferguson that gives United the edge.
Van der Sar said: “I am not concerned by what Real Madrid have done. It is all about the team spirit. Eleven Cristiano Ronaldos wouldn’t lead to success.
“I know some people think differently. But when you play with 11 Ronaldos, not many of them would care about defensive duties.
“Three English clubs were among the last four in the Champions League last season. Everyone knows the Premier League is the best in the world.
“But because we lost to Barca and Real buy some big names, suddenly we have to be in awe of Spanish football.
“Of course, Ronaldo was a big player for us. And we have to change our team a bit now. But we will do that. United is a lot bigger than Ronaldo.”
He added: “Alex Ferguson is the man who guarantees continuity at this club. He has built an empire and a group of loyal and trustworthy people around him and the team.
“He does not need to be at the training ground every day. He does not even have to try and influence me to sign again.
“As a player you know what you have got at United because of all the staff around Fergie. They are all great people. The trick is that as a player here, you know you are employed by a multi-million pound football company, but inside it feels as if you are surrounded by family.”
Its good to see Edwin is still hungry which will only lead to him working harder and putting in better perfomances.