United keen on Van deal
EDWIN VAN DER SAR is on Manchester United’s most-wanted list as they search for a director of football.
The former Holland goalkeeper, who was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson and became a popular figure at Old Trafford, is chief executive of Ajax.
The 48-year-old has acquired a glowing reputation for his work there, and he is a powerful figure on the board of the European Club Association.
That has caught the eye of United Executive Vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who wants to bring in someone who can help manager Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer realise his transfer targets.
Van der Sar is aware that he is high up on United’s list, but he faces a dilemma should United come calling.
Walking out of Ajax when they have just joined Europe’s elite again, and having built up an incredible bank balance of £220million from transfers, would be regarded as betrayal by fans in Holland.
Health issues with his wife have also stopped him from moving abroad in the past.
Annemarie suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2009, and while she is now in a much better condition, it could be just too early for him to leave Ajax and Holland.
Over the past months Woodward has been in discussions with several former United players including Rio Ferdinand and Darren Fletcher, but none has the experience of Van der Sar.
Van der Sar has helped the development of young talent such as Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong at Alax and has a growing list of contacts in the game – ones that Woodward would love to to tap into.