Butcher: Van der Sar the missing link for United

Former England captain Terry Butcher believes Manchester United will run Chelsea close in all competitions following the summer arrival of goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

He believes Sir Alex Ferguson could have pulled off the signing of the season in the 35-year-old former Fulham keeper.

The Old Trafford boss has tried and failed to find a replacement for Peter Schmeichel but Butcher, who was in Hungary in midweek to watch United comfortably sweep aside Debrecen to progress to the Champions League group stages, believes Ferguson has now found the missing ingredient.

The Channel 5 pundit said: “They will run Chelsea close for all trophies this season.

“I was very impressed with him and United the other night. It was a thoroughly convincing show from them. He could be the buy of the season.

“His presence is immense and everything he’s been asked to do since arriving he’s looked solid with.

“They’ve tried a lot of goalkeepers since Schmeichel left which is incredible but Edwin will handle the pressure and his all-round presence and ability takes you back to the Schmeichel era.

“You knew then that if the other team got through your back four, you had the keeper behind you which gave you confidence and United look so solid with van der Sar behind them now.”