‘Ruud van Nistelrooy was behind my Man Utd transfer – he informed boss I wasn’t too previous’
Manchester United goalkeeping great Edwin van der Sar revealed it was on the advice of Ruud van Nistelrooy that Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford.
Despite van der Sar seemingly reaching the twilight of his career with spells at Ajax, Juventus, and then Fulham, his 2005 switch to United sparked an unexpected upswing in his fortunes. It was during a goalkeeper hunt following the departure of Peter Schmeichel that Van Nistelrooy tipped Fergie off about his former national team-mate.
Speaking on fellow United legend Rio Ferdinand‘s podcast, Van der Sar said: “I think that was the reason why Ferguson signed me in the end,” acknowledging that Van Nistelrooy’s recommendation was decisive, even though Ferguson had initial concerns about his age.
Van der Sar said: “I think Ruud had a conversation [with Ferguson] at the end of the [previous season] about next steps for United, and he said, ‘We’re looking for a midfielder and a goalkeeper. . .so why don’t you take Van der Sar?’
“‘Yeah, okay, but he’s old’ and everything,” he added before mimicking Van Nistelrooy’s defence of his qualities. “‘Okay, but he still plays in the Premier League, he plays for the national team. . .[he] probably has another two good years in him.’ And I think that’s how the ball started rolling.”
(Image: FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP via Getty Images)
The rest, as they say, was history, and Van der Sar went on to etch his name in the history books as one of United’s greatest goalkeepers. In the end, he went on to play six seasons as the Red Devils’ undisputed starter before retiring in 2011 at the age of 40, reports the Mirror.
His time at Old Trafford was littered with silverware, including four Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League crown. United also reached two other Champions League finals with him between the posts, not to mention clinching two League Cups as well.
There’s perhaps no other stopper who comes closer to challenging treble-winner Schmeichel for the throne as United’s best keeper of all time. And it’s all thanks to a well-timed tip-off from Van Nistelrooy, whose eye for talent was sharp even as a player, but will no longer be part of the coaching set up at Old Trafford following the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim.
