Ferguson: Van Der Sar "As Well As Ever"

Should Edwin van der Sar keep a clean sheet at the Hawthorns tomorrow against West Bromwich Albion, then the veteran goalkeeper will set a new Premier League record.

If the 38-year-old goalkeeper manages to keep his net intact until the 84th minute, then he will have have beaten the current Premier League record of 1,025 minutes, set by Petr Cech for Chelsea in the 2004/05 season. That achievement would be made all the more remarkable by the fact that United have been hampered by a long injury list that has wreaked particular havoc amongst their defenders.

Youngsters such as Fabio Da Silva and Jonny Evans have stepped into the holes and having a figure of authority and experience around in the shape of van der Sar has helped tremendously, the Red Devils' manager Alex Ferguson feels.

"Edwin’s calmness and concentration are doing us a power of good and he is playing as well as he has ever done," Ferguson is reported as saying in The Times. 

"He has certainly been at a peak during our recent run. His experience will count for a lot in the coming weeks because the smell of the title run-in is there and I’m looking for us to raise our game even more."

Ferguson also highlighted that he expects even more effort from his hardworking players as the business end of the season is reached and honours are to be played for.

He added: "We have been on a good run lately and what we want now is a great run."

United now lead the Premier League on goal difference ahead of Liverpool, who have played one more game than the two time defending champions. Both sides currently sit on 47 points.

--Zac Wilson, Goal.com