Finding a new saving grace

EVEN AS the eulogies flow, the memories are rekindled and the tributes aired, Manchester United must today begin the process of replacing goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

They will hope to do so in a more satisfactory fashion than they achieved when Peter Schmeichel left Old Trafford 12 years ago.

The Dutchman’s decision to retire in May was announced, as is the modern fashion, on his management company’s website. But it will come as no shock to Alex Ferguson; after all, the goalkeeper is 40 years old and came close to retirement last season and before that in 2008. However the difficulties in finding a suitable replacement are by no means insignificant.