Legendary Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has refused to close the door to a return to Old Trafford in a boardroom capacity.
It’s been 14 years since Van der Sar last played for United, but he’ll be back at The Theatre of Dreams this June for Soccer Aid 2025 as part of the World XI.
After retirement, the Dutchman took up a position at Ajax. He initially joined as director before he became CEO.
While at Ajax, Van der Sar was regularly linked to a return to United but it never materialised. Now that he is free, the 54-year-old has insisted that he would consider the opportunity if it came his way, even as the Red Devils undergo an overhaul of their hierarchy under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Asked about following in the footsteps of some of his former teammates and going back to United, Van der said [via Radio Times], “Yeah, of course, Darren Fletcher is more on the footballing side. I was marketing director and CEO at Ajax.”
“It was a great run. I resigned a couple of years ago. Of course, in the future, you never know, and I think there’s been a lot of talk in the past already with my position at Ajax and comparing it with Man United.”
“At the moment, I’m loving the life that I’m leading and I think they signed some quality people in positions now. The CEO position is filled and the ownership, with Jim Ratcliffe and the family in America, so who knows?”
Van der Sar expressed hope that the Red Devils can reclaim some lost pride by ending a difficult season on a high note with Europa League glory.
Heading into Sunday’s meeting with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, United are languishing in 15th place in the Premier League.
United are yet to reach 40 points, with just four games left to play. They’ve suffered 15 defeats, which is a club record in their top-flight history.
However, Ruben Amorim’s men still have a shot at silverware this season in the form of the Europa League. United took a significant step toward securing their place in the final with a dominant 3-0 first-leg semi-final victory over Athletic Club at San Mamés.
United won the Europa League trophy in 2017, when Jose Mourinho’s side secured a 2-0 victory over Ajax at the Friends Arena in Sweden. Van der Sar sees similarities between the current team under Amorim and the 2017 side, and hopes United can repeat their Europa League success.
“I know they had it once before in 2017 and I was the other team in the final with Ajax. I was director, the chief executive.”
“We were of course delighted to reach the Europa League final but when you’re in a final you want, and you need, to win it. I think even that time United were outside the Champions League positions, so they were over the moon that they won the trophy.”
He continued, “That situation or that possibility is still there for them, and hopefully they can save a small part of the season. But mainly being attractive for players and other personnel to come to United, and help them gaining respect, quality and not better players but different kind of players for the system that the manager wants to play.”
During his six-year stint with United, Van der Sar won four Premier League titles and a Champions League.
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
