(Manchester United News)
Edwin van der Sar recently took time out from preparing for the Red Heart United Legends match against Bayern Munich on 14 June to talk to ManUtd.com.
The Dutchman, one of the best keepers in Manchester United's illustrious history, discussed the merits of present no.1 David De Gea and Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League encounter.
How do you feel David De Gea is playing at the moment? He’s certainly among the top goalkeepers in the world now, isn’t he?
Of course he is. He’s had a tremendous year, made some very important saves and has been one of the strongholds of the team. That’s good to see. Initially, in his first year, he had some difficulties but he has really achieved a lot. It’s not easy to come to a different country at a young age with a different language and different methods but he really showed his worth and has become massively important to the club. The fans really appreciate him.
That could be reflected in him being voted United's Player of the Year for a second successive season. Is it nice for goalkeepers to get some recognition?
Well, okay but you can also say it’s not a good thing that the goalkeeper becomes Player of the Year. Let’s hope next year the football is going to be played more in the half of the opposite team and not too much at the back end!
Let’s hope so. In terms of United's trip to Chelsea, Thibaut Courtois is another top keeper - how do you think he compares to De Gea?
They have a similar stature and build and, of course, had the same route as Courtois also came from Atletico Madrid after playing in Belgium at a young age. They’ve both started very young. I was 23 when I started playing in the first team [at Ajax] and I think they’re still both around that age that now. Some people are early developers but I think I was a late developer, although I managed to stretch my career to 40 and still enjoyed very many nice years on the football pitch in Europe.
When you put it like that, those two guys could be the best keepers in the Premier League for a long time to come…
Let’s hope so. It’s important that young goalkeepers have an example and somebody they can look up to. Those guys really do their job although I have a lot of respect for Petr Cech from my time when he played with Chelsea. I think it’s important for him to find a nice new club where he can show the quality that Petr Cech has.
