Super stopper

Despite confirming his intention to retire at the end of the season, Edwin van der Sar remains as vital as ever to Manchester United.

Last Saturday, when Birmingham City visited Old Trafford, he kept his 12th clean sheet of the season, and against Blackpool on Tuesday night he underlined his value by diving full-length to his left to turn a rasping shot around the post and keep United in the game.

Van der Sar may be 40 but age hasn't wearied him. His performances haven't declined at all during his spell at Old Trafford; physically, he could play on for at least another year. But Edwin's chosen to hang up his gloves this summer and there's no doubt he’ll be sorely missed.

United may be synonymous with free-flowing, attacking football, but the Reds' success in recent years has been built as much on a bedrock of defensive solidity. And that’s where Edwin comes in.

A look at the last three seasons confirms United concede fewer goals and keep more clean sheets when the Dutchman