Van der Sar reveals extent of Man Utd interest, names duo who moved to Old Trafford too soon

Edwin van der Sar says he is “not finished” at Ajax as he reveals how close he has come to joining Man Utd as a director of football.

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Van der Sar for a while as they look to alter the way they recruit players.

Former goalkeeper Van der Sar played 266 times for Man Utd over six seasons at Old Trafford with the Dutchman winning four Premier League titles, two League Cups and a Champions League during his time at the Premier League club.

And a report last week in the Netherlands insisted that Man Utd have approached Van der Sar in an attempt to lure him away from his position as CEO of Ajax.

Voetbal Primeur reported: ‘The club of manager Erik ten Hag is said to have even contacted Van der Sar last week.

‘It is not the first time that Manchester United have knocked on the door for the services of the general manager.

‘Two years ago, the club also informed, but then Van der Sar indicated that he did not want to leave Ajax yet.’

But Van der Sar says a move to Man Utd has “never been that close” and that he still has unfinished business at Ajax, where he has enjoyed great success.

“It’s never been that close,” Van der Sar told The Times.

“I have a good relationship with the board and I had a fantastic six years in Manchester, but I’m not finished here yet.”

As well as manager Erik ten Hag, Man Utd also took Antony and Lisandro Martinez away from Ajax in the summer transfer window and Van der Sar is of the opinion that they should’ve waited another year before moving.

“It was our opinion they should stay for another year,” Van der Sar said of Antony and Martinez.

“We gave a firm ‘no’ to Arsenal when they came first for Lisandro; we fought hard to keep him.

“I don’t think the way [Antony] handled it was the correct one, but it’s important all the players who leave Ajax have success because it reflects well on us.”

After losing his first two matches as Man Utd boss to Brighton and Brentford, Ten Hag has turned their fortunes around in recent weeks with six wins, two draws and only one more defeat in the Premier League.

“We saw the work Erik has done when he established himself as a young coach,” Van der Sar continued. “He’s relentless, he wants to achieve as much as possible. The training exercises, the way he wants to play, it is coming into a picture.”

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