Van der Sar: experience the key for United

(GSM) – Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar maintains that his side’s experience gives them the upper hand on other title contenders.

The Dutch goalkeeper is confident United can win an unprecedented fourth successive title.

Van der Sar, 39, knows what it is like to have that winning mentality.

“Experience definitely helps,” he told the club’s website.

“You’ve been there before – through narrow escapes and must-win games. You know how to handle them.

“The more you go through these situations the better you are at dealing with them.

“There’s a moment in your career where it clicks and you think, ‘I”ve been in this situation before, I know what to do, I know what to expect’. That comes in handy sometimes.”

Van der Sar has made 203 appearances for United since arriving from Fulham in 2005.

Van der Sar is not very concerned with the absentees who are frequently injured as the club maintains the same system.

He said, “In general, we tend to coach the same way and to play in the same system. But every player has their own characteristics.

“You have to understand the qualities and the character of your team-mates. Sometimes one defender is quicker than another, or one is better at heading the ball.

“Whoever comes into the defence brings their own personality and style with them. As a goalkeeper you try to make sure everything glues together and you work well.”