Manager Alex Ferguson has already started planning for the Dutchman's retirement - and CSKA Moscow's Akinfeev is one of his options.
The keeper, 23, has impressed for club and country since arriving on the scene five years ago.
He has been on the radar of a number of Europe's top teams and Fergie does not want United to miss out.
Van der Sar, 38, says he will make a decision this season about whether to hang up his gloves.
Ben Foster is his likely successor after overtaking Tomasz Kuszczak in the United pecking order.
And the Pole may be heading for the exit, leaving room for another keeper if Van der Sar does retire.
bye bye foster u deserve it
err,do it stealthy, else, the rest will come la.
i remember him as a wonderkid in FM / CM. lol. but i dunno whether he is that good in real life.
i thought....schalke keeper is good and man utd is eyeing?
foster cannot take over from VDS long term lar. he is just an average goalie like paul robinson.
should really bid for big name goalie like cech and buffon after VDS retired.