“Alex Ferguson has spoken about Stekelenburg with Edwin”

The search for United’s new number 1 has seen Sir Alex fall back on familiarity.

With the legend of Peter Schmeichel still looming large at Old Trafford, Sir Alex brought in Anders Lindegaard, also a Dane, and with Edwin Van Der Sar on his way out of the club in May, Sir Alex will replace him with a fellow country man in Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg according to quotes attributed to first team coach René Meulensteen.

A number of names have been thrown around including David De Gea, Manuel Neurer and Rene Adler. Stekelenburg has been mentioned but nowhere as much as these 3 so to hear him confirmed as the number one target to replace Van Der Sar is a mild surprise.

The 6 ft 6 keeper is just 28 thus has years ahead of him between the sticks and comes with a glowing reference from the departing Van Der Sar who will have been aware of his rise through the ranks at his old club Ajax.

Meulensteen, who is also Dutch stated:

“Stekelenburg is indeed the goalkeeper who is at the top of our wanted list. We have naturally been talking a lot among ourselves about who should replace Van der Sar. Alex Ferguson has spoken about Stekelenburg with Edwin and that does not seem strange to me at all.”

The keeper who reached the World Cup Final with Holland this past summer could be costly as Ajax will now be aware that he is on our radar.