Edwin out to impress
Reds goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar says tonightÂ’s friendly against Serie A champions Inter Milan will provide a stern test for United as United continue preparations for 2007/08Â’s title defence.
Speaking exclusively to United Review, the Dutchman says he expects the match to have more of an edge than the four Asia Tour games and adds that it is important the team put on a good performance at Old Trafford.
“The game against Inter is our first pre-season game in front of our fans and everyone is eager to show that we’re on the right track,” he said.
“To do that we must make sure we get off to as good a start as last season. United have three games in the first week and it’s important that we do well in those otherwise you can end up under pressure straight away. From then on the team will grow and the new players will learn what’s expected of them.”
The match is United's most difficult of the summer so far. And although it is an important part of the squad's preparations for the new campaign, Edwin says individual players – himself included – are fighting for starting places in the first game of the season.
"You always have to be at your best at United because if you don’t someone else is always ready to take your place,” he added. “I didn’t have the same consistency at the end of last season as I had in the previous campaign. I don’t know why. But when you make mistakes, you look at how to improve and then get on with it.”
At 36, van der Sar is inevitably nearing the end of his playing career but he says nothing will be decided on extending his current deal until the turn of the year. "Of course last season was a long campaign but IÂ’ve had a long break and feel good," he said. "IÂ’m not thinking about whatÂ’s going to happen. If IÂ’m still enjoying myself then weÂ’ll see, but nothing will be decided before January."