This Saturday will mark the final game of one of the best goalkeepers in Manchester United history, Edwin Van Der Sar (also referred to as VDS). What’s the big deal about this particular goalie retiring? He may very well still be the best goalkeeper in the world right NOW. And he is 40 years old. Being 40 in soccer is like, well, being 40 in any professional sport. Not many athletes make it that far, and if they do, they’re more Jordan on the Wizards than Jordan on the Bulls.
The Red Devils have several players who reached their late prime this season: Gary Neville (who retired after just three games), Paul Scholes (who has been sub-par in limited appearances), and Ryan Giggs (who has carried this team at times). However, VDS has been perhaps the most invaluable asset to this season’s team. He has been the steady veteran that comes up with big saves when they are most needed, leading them to a Premier League title and an appearance in Saturday’s Champions League Final against Barcelona.
You can go to Wikipedia or a stats page to look at Van Der Sar’s amazingly long and productive career, both club and international. He was signed by United at the age of 34, with many critics thinking he was a temporary solution. Not only did he prove his doubters wrong, he blew them away with his long streaks without conceding a goal and his unbelievable ball skills. As a Manchester United and Premier League fan, what never fails to amaze me is how top shelf goalies are miserable handling the ball. I am hard pressed, however, to remember an instance where VDS not only didn’t mishandle a ball, or didn’t play one as well as any defender could.
I can only dream that Edwin Van Der Sar goes home for a couple weeks after Saturday’s game and decides that he is not done with the beautiful game. Maybe he has a conversation with Brett Favre and they both decide to come back; I’m OK with the non-stop coverage on ESPN if it means that VDS will be back for another magical season. But the logic in me (no matter how little I have) knows that Saturday is most likely the last time I will see one of the best goalies in history put on a Manchester United jersey.
Obviously, a win would just add on to what is already cemented as a great career. Beating the arguably best club team ever assembled would just be extra whipped cream on top of the cherry. And oh, what a fitting farewell it would be.
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