There have been plenty of pretenders to Peter Schmeichel’s throne since his abdication in 1999. But few have graced the number 1 jersey with such quality and consistency as Edwin van der Sar.

The two differ in style. Schmeichel was famed for bellowing at his back four as well as his brilliant saves. Edwin, however, uses his experience and calm assurance to great effect.

Edwin has all the wisdom and know-how between the sticks that you would expect of a goalkeeper that is his nation’s most-capped player and a former UEFA Cup (1992) and Champions League (1995) winner with his first club Ajax in

the early nineties. He also won four league titles and three domestic cups with the Amsterdam outfit, before spending two seasons in Serie A with Juventus.

Gianlugi Buffon’s arrival at the Stadio delle Alpi resulted in van der Sar's £5million switch to Fulham in 2001 at the outset of the Londoners’ Premier League adventure, but after four seasons at Craven Cottage United came knocking.

Van der Sar was 34 when he arrived at Old Trafford in 2005 but old father time has dulled neither his ambition nor his influence. Age is not a problem, far from it. He kept an incredible 24 clean sheets in all