Van der Sar out for two months
The Dutchman, 38, is expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks.
Van der Sar was hurt saving a penalty in the pre-season 7-6 penalty shoot-out defeat by Bayern Munich last week.
Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak will bid to start Sunday’s Community Shield game with Chelsea and the Premier League opener against Birmingham on August 16.
Van der Sar’s misfortune could pave the way for Foster to stake his claim for a regular starting spot for United and England, who are on the verge of rubber-stamping qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals.
Foster, 26, signed a new contract in July and United boss Alex Ferguson said at the time: “He is seen as one of the best young goalkeepers in England and we genuinely see him as a successor to Edwin.’’
Meanwhile Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson admitted Michael Owen deserved a goal instead of drawing a blank for Manchester United in their 2-0 win over Valencia last night.
In front of England coach Fabio Capello, who names his squad to face Holland next week on Saturday evening, Owen squandered four excellent chances to find the target.
However, Ferguson was delighted with the striker’s effort.
“It would have been nice for Michael to score – he deserved one,” said Ferguson.
“He probably should have had four. He showed marvellous movement at times and when he took that great pass from Wayne Rooney, he put the ball over the keeper but just past the post.”
It was all United did have to complain about after a deserved triumph, in which another Old Trafford new-boy Antonio Valencia earned special praise from his manager.
“It was a very exciting performance,” said Ferguson. “It was a real winger’s effort. He showed great speed, power and balance.
“Coming to our club he has immediately taken on the challenge and we are very pleased with what we have seen from him so far.”
With Owen struggling to find the target, Rooney stepped into the breach, guiding home Valencia’s cross seven minutes into the second period.
The Ecuador winger also provided Tom Cleverley with the chance to mark his first United appearance in pre-season with a goal.
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