Edwin van der Sar has revealed he held talks with Liverpool and was a target for Manchester United in 1999 before opting for Juventus. The Dutch goalkeeper told FourFourTwo in 2017 that he toured Anfield and met Gerard Houllier. He said Juventus presented a bigger challenge at the time.
Sir Alex Ferguson wanted Van der Sar to replace Peter Schmeichel, the goalkeeper claimed. He said the United chairman preferred a free transfer for Mark Bosnich instead. The move to Old Trafford eventually happened six years later in 2005.
Van der Sar spent four seasons at Fulham after leaving Juventus. He helped the newly promoted side establish themselves in the Premier League. Patience paid off when he joined United months before his 35th birthday.
He won four league titles and the 2008 Champions League during six seasons at Old Trafford. His penalty save from Nicolas Anelka in the Moscow shoot-out against Chelsea sealed the trophy. It was his second European crown after the 1995 triumph with Ajax.
Van der Sar later served as Ajax chief executive before stepping down in 2023. He remains a cult figure at both Craven Cottage and Old Trafford. The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is whether a goalkeeper peaking in his mid-30s would get the same patience in today's transfer market.
- Nearly joined Liverpool in 1999 after Anfield tour
- Ferguson wanted him as Schmeichel successor
- United chose Mark Bosnich on a free instead
- Signed for Fulham from Juventus in 2001
- Moved to Manchester United in 2005 aged 34
- Won four Premier League titles and 2008 Champions League
- Saved Anelka penalty in 2008 final shoot-out
- Later served as Ajax CEO until 2023
Source: Mirror
