Tributes pour in for "unique" Van der Sar

The tributes have poured in for retired Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar following an emotional testimonial night in Amsterdam.

The 40-year-old called time on his career at the end of last season after over two decades in the game playing for Holland, Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and United.
"He is not a normal keeper," United legend Sir Bobby Charlton declared.
"The players in front of him always can have the thought: we still have Edwin. He has got so much talent and a strong character. Maybe he is the best goalkeeper United ever had, but we also had Schmeichel. But Van der Sar is unique."
Van der Sar took part in two friendly matches on Wednesday evening, both of which ended in victory for the veteran. The evening ended with several United stars incuding Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney turning out for a Dream Team.
Ferdinand paid tribute to his former team-mate on Twitter by posting: "Great crowd + great appreciation for a great servant of the game. It was a pleasure to play alongside him. Respect #edwinvandersar".

Van der Sar kept his first clean sheet of the night in a 1-0 win for a 1995 Ajax side against a 1998 Holland team before then helping his Dream Team claim a 2-1 win over a current Ajax side soon after.
The Dutchman's Dream Team included fellow countrymen Dennis Bergkamp and Dirk Kuyt.
"He is a winner," Bergkamp said of his ex-international colleague.
"Even in training, he always played 100 per cent. When you deliver in England like he did, you will be received in the arms of the fans.
"I experienced that too. They really, really appreciate you when you are a professional. That's something different than in Holland."
Edwin's Dream Team was managed by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Great Manchester United Goalkeepers

David de Gea has been drafted in to replace the retired Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United. Here we look at the careers of some former Old Trafford greats he will be hoping to emulate.

Peter Schmeichel (1991-99)

Regarded as one of Ferguson's best signings, the Denmark international won five Premier League titles in seven years, also being part of the side which won the 1999 Champions League and won the FA Cup three times. Earned a reputation as being the best goalkeeper to grace the Premier League era.

Edwin van der Sar (2005-11)

The Dutchman was already vastly experienced when he joined from Fulham approaching the twilight of his career and brought a calmness and consistency which ended years of failed attempts by Ferguson to find the new Schmeichel. Won four Premier League titles, one Champions League and voted best European goalkeeper three years running.

Alex Stepney (1966-78)

Kept 175 clean sheets in 539 appearances for United. Manager Sir Matt Busby hailed him as "the single most important factor" behind their first division title win in 1967. Famously kept out Eusebio in the 1967 European Cup final to force extra time, from where United went on to win the game. In addition he also won the FA Cup once.

Harry Gregg (1957-66)

Busby spent a world-record fee for a goalkeeper on Gregg and his talent was in evidence at the 1958 World Cup when, although only reaching the quarter-finals with Northern Ireland, was named best goalkeeper ahead of Russia legend Lev Yashin. Probably best remembered for his heroics in the Munich air disaster just three months after he signed, returning to the burning plane to pull survivors free.