De Gea needs pressure lesson, van der Sar claims

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has told successor David de Gea that he needs to learn how to deal with pressure.

The 41-year-old van der Sar called time on his playing career last season, prompting manager Sir Alex Ferguson to splash out 18 million pounds to bring de Gea to the club.

Since joining from Atletico Madrid, the 20-year-old’s performances have come under intense scrutiny, but the Spaniard’s veteran predecessor revealed that he will need to become accustomed to the weight of expectation.

“It’s always difficult if you’re coming into a new club and new league, especially the English one,” van der Sar told reporters.

“It’s a very demanding one, can be a very tough one.”

“He has to deal with that. They paid a lot of money for him and he has to come through that.”

The Dutchman also revealed he has been impressed with United’s other goalkeeping option Anders Lindegaard, who is currently sidelined through injury.

He added: “I spoke to Anders and he’s disappointed of course, that he’s injured at the moment because he’s really been magnificent.”

In addition, van der Sar admitted there is no chance of him coming out of retirement in the future, but insists that he was not surprised by Paul Scholes’ recent U-turn.

He said: “I got a few text messages from friends saying, ‘What about you?’ I’m quite happy at the moment. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

“I was at Carrington and he was watching a training session and I said, ‘So, how do you like it?’ He said, ‘Not really. I miss it.'”

“He was still there doing his work as an assistant coach with the reserve team so it was probably a little bit easier to get back in.”

After enjoying a trophy-filled spell with the club, van der Sar is confident United have what it takes to pip their bitter local rivals Manchester City and claim another Premier League crown.

He added: “I think United have had a reasonably strong, competitive last month.”

“I see the qualities United have and the tactics Ferguson can deploy. Hopefully that can be enough for another title.”