Manchester United FC: Edwin van der Sar happy to be back in action

Feb 9 2010 by Our Correspondent, Daily Post

Manchester United FC: It has been a tough season for the veteran Dutchman, who suffered two lengthy absences before being granted compassionate leave just before Christmas when his wife Annemarie suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Thankfully, his wife has recovered sufficiently for Van der Sar to resume his career at Old Trafford, bringing a sense of stability to a side that had been struggling for results.

“It feels really good to be back playing,” Van der Sar said. “It has been a stop-start season for me and you miss your weekly routine of training and games. But if feels great to be back in the swing of things and playing for United again.”

Van der Sar kept the third clean sheet since his return to action in the five-goal hammering of Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson credits a lot of United’s improvement to Van der Sar although, typically, the former Ajax keeper is taking the plaudits in his stride.

“Every manager speaks highly of his players and I am sure other managers say the same about their goalkeepers,” he said. “But I know that I get good recognition here at United – from the players and the manager.”