5 Greatest Manchester United Goalkeepers of all Time

#4 Edwin van der Sar (2005-11)

Chelsea v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final

Sir Alex Ferguson had wanted to sign Edwin van der Sar as a replacement for the outgoing Peter Schmeichel in the summer of 1999, but Manchester United Chairman had already agreed a deal with Aston Villa stopper, Mark Bosnich.

However, it wasn't until 2005, when Ferguson finally landed van der Sar that he did suitably replace the "Great Dane" in the United goal.

No fewer than 10 goalkeepers kept goal for United between 1999 and 2005, all failing miserably to reach the required level to prove successful as first team goalkeeper for the club.

van der Sar's arrival coincided with a huge upturn in form for United who had struggled in the face of Arsenal and Chelsea dominance in the early part of the 21st century.

In his first season with the club, he helped United to win the League Cup which was followed by four Premier League titles, a European Cup and Club World Cup, during his six full seasons with United before his 2011 retirement from Football.

One of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, van der Sar had an exceptional positional awareness which meant he was excellent at collecting crosses and could play with the ball at his feet as well as his hands, which would often lead to him beginning United attacks from the team's own box.

Had it not been for the immense talents of the keeper to follow him at the club, his presence would have been sorely missed.