Source: Daily_Mail
I'd have quit if United hadn't rescued me from Fulham, says Van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar says he would have retired by now if Manchester United[LNB]had not signed him.[LNB]The Dutch keeper admits his move to Fulham [LNB]in 2001 did not go to plan and that he started to miss playing in European competition.[LNB] Going strong: Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar[LNB] But Van der Sar, 38, has no intention of quitting now after picking up trophies galore with Sir Alex Ferguson's men.[LNB]'If I had stayed at Fulham I would have quit the game by now,' Van der Sar told The Sun. 'After my third and fourth year there, I thought my chance of playing for a big club again had gone.[LNB]'I went to Fulham for the project they explained to me - but it didn't really work out. I might have been playing at a high level for the national team but I was starting to miss those European nights and challenging for titles.[LNB]'At certain times you start to maybe not lose the faith but just wonder how long it will take until someone picks me up.[LNB]'I was thinking, is it just me? Do I think I'm better than any manager does? Do they think I am just too old or not good enough?'[LNB] Finally beaten: Newcastle's Peter Lovenkrands (far left) ends Van der Sar's run of clean sheets[LNB]The former Juventus and Ajax keeper admits he is delighted at his role in May's Champions League final penalty shoot-out.[LNB]Van der Sar saved the decisive penalty from Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka to give the Dutchman a moment he can be associated with for ever.[LNB]But he is hungry for more as United chase five trophies this season. The challenge for United to become the first team to retain the European Cup in the Champions League era is driving on Van der Sar.[LNB] Keep an eye out: The United keeper is wary of Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (centre)[LNB]And he is surprised at how comfortable United were against Inter Milan in their last 16, first leg match at the San Siro.[LNB]Nonetheless, he knows there is much to do at Old Trafford against Jose Mourinho's men on Tuesday and will be paying close attention to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano.[LNB]'They have great ability, quick feet and are a good combination plus they have Dejan Stankovic playing off them. So we cannot underestimate them,' he said.[LNB] Vidic shuns Fulham homework as he admits luck can be as important as excellence for Manchester United[LNB]Ronaldo plots United Quintuple haul as response to pitch aggressors[LNB]Stop the thugs! Wenger wants the bad boys under control with 10-game bans[LNB]MANCHESTER UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] [LNB]
