Edwin van der Sar Opens up on Rumors of Him Joining Manchester United in Executive Role

Former Manchester United goalkeeper and current Ajax Chief Executive Officer Edwin van der Sar recently brushed aside rumors of him joining United in the role of Football Director.

Van Der Sar spent six years at Old Trafford, breaking several records and winning multiple accolades. He won the Premier League four times and was also instrumental in the Red Devils winning the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League. Since hanging up his gloves in 2011, the Dutch legend has been in a behind-the-scenes role at Ajax, becoming CEO in 2016.

However, the United legend was touted in several reports that the club has approached him to take on the role of Football Director. During a recent interview with The Times, the former shot-stopper put all the rumors to bed and stated that he is “not finished” at Ajax.

"“It’s never been that close. I have a good relationship with the board and I had a fantastic six years in Manchester, but I’m not finished here [at Ajax] yet.”"

Edwin Van Der Sar Also Commented on Anthony and Lisandro Martinez Joining Manchester United

During the same interview, the United legend also opened up on two former Ajax players, Anthony and Lisandro Martinez, joining the Red Devils. The duo followed Erik ten Hag to Manchester and have been enjoying a good run of form at the Theatre of Dreams.

Van Der Sar stated that Anthony’s move to United was a “hard one to take” and that the Brazilian star did not handle it well.

"“It was our opinion they should stay for another year. We gave a firm ‘no’ to Arsenal when they came first for Lisandro; we fought hard to keep him. It was [an] economic [decision], but it was a hard one to take. We knew there was interest but not at that level, and it was too late to find a good replacement. 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.”"

On the subject of Erik ten Hag, the Ajax CEO stated that the United manager is “relentless,” and the work he is doing is now “coming into a picture.”

Van Der Sar has seemingly extended his contract at the Dutch club till 2025. It remains to be seen whether he will make a move to Manchester United any time soon.

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