‘Make or break’ games for United
The Red Devils visit Portsmouth in the Premiership on Saturday looking to consolidate second spot before embarking on a crucial cup double, starting with a trip to Liverpool in the FA Cup before tackling Wigan in the Carling Cup final on February 26.
Van der Sar knows three wins would leave United looking forward to the remainder of the season with some silverware already in the cabinet. But a hat-trick of defeats would condemn Alex Ferguson’s men to back-to-back trophyless campaigns for the first time in 17 years, a thought Van der Sar is not prepared to contemplate.
“These next few games are very important if we are going to get some silverware this season,” said the giant Dutchman.
“It is important for this club to be playing in finals and when you are there, you want to bring the trophy back with you. Our only two possibilities for trophies at the moment are the Carling Cup and the FA Cup but I am not going to choose between finishing second and winning a cup.”
Van der Sar has been widely regarded as a force for good at Old Trafford this term. A £2m arrival from Fulham last summer, the 34-year-old has brought vital experience to United’s back four and though his mistakes have been notable, they have been far fewer in number than at virtually any stage since the departure of Peter Schmeichel in 1999.
Unfortunately for the former Ajax man, one of his major blunders came at Blackburn last week when a breakdown in communication with Rio Ferdinand gifted Rovers their crucial second in an Ewood Park win. Van der Sar exchanged angry words with the £29.1m England man immediately after the incident, but he insists the fall-out was only brief.
“It was very unlucky because I came for it and shouted but Rio did not hear me,” he said.
“It did not look good on TV and for a few seconds your frustration takes over and you say a few things. But it was nothing vicious and the following morning we had more time to discuss what happened in a more rational manner.”
The mistake is one of the reasons why Van der Sar claims to be only ‘semi-pleased’ with his United performances to date. It is an analysis most would regard as harsh but reflects the standards of a man who hopes to captain his country to World Cup glory in Germany this summer.
In order to achieve that lofty ambition, Van der Sar knows Holland may eventually have to dispose of England - and that means finding a way of stopping Wayne Rooney.
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