Edwin van der Sar had no natural talent, says Bayern boss Louis van Gaal

30 March 2010 09:51
Louis van Gaal has branded fellow Dutchman Edwin van der Sar a manufactured goalkeeper.   [LNB]The pair go head-to-head in the Allianz Arena 15 years after Van der Sar was part of Van Gaal's Ajax side that claimed Champions League glory at Juventus' expense. [LNB]Little could the current Bayern Munich coach have known the keeper he helped develop would stand in his way of a semi-final berth as he approaches his 40th birthday.   [LNB] Going strong: Van der Sar is showing no signs of slowing down[LNB]Van Gaal's assessment of an extreme talent was not exactly the greatest compliment and neither is it likely to win the Manchester United player's approval.   [LNB]But, in using exactly the same phrase as Sir Alex Ferguson once used to describe David Beckham, Van Gaal insists he is correct.   [LNB]'I always say Van der Sar is a manufactured goalkeeper,' said Van Gaal. 'He is not so happy when I say it, but there are more natural goalkeepers in the world.   [LNB]'Van der Sar has been made into a goalkeeper. It is my philosophy to train the brain and that is the reason why Van der Sar has been around so long.   [LNB]'He always works with his brain. That is his secret. He is a great role model for goalkeepers around the world.'[LNB] Fergie defends Vidic and insists United stopper was roughed up by BoltonBoxing-mad Wayne Rooney hits the punchbag as Manchester United star looks to smash Bayern Munich with knockout blowThe good news for United... Ribery is nowhere near the player he once wasDe Gea holding out for dream move to Man United after turning down WiganWayne Rooney won't hurt us! Bayern claim they're not scared of Manchester United striker MANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail