Retiring Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar admits he is dreading his final league game at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old has proved to be a superb acquisition since his arrival from Fulham six years ago, proving Sir Alex Ferguson was wrong to let him slip through his fingers when Peter Schmeichel quit in 1999.
In his six years at United, he has won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup and the League Cup.
And the veteran Dutchman will bid a fond farewell to Old Trafford after today's clash with Blackpool, having resisted attempts by United fans to persuade him to play on.
He said: "This is going to be my last game. I could have said I may be able to carry for another year but I'm not sure I wanted to deal in maybes.
"It's not because of physical stuff that you have to quit. Nor is it because you can't compete in training anymore but at a certain point you have to make that decision.
"At a certain point you know you can't keep on progressing or even sometimes staying at the same level. You just hope to make the right decision.
"I think this is the right moment. I didn't expect to have gone on for so long anyway. I have already extended my life as a goalkeeper by a couple of years. Now I just want to finish on a high."
Van der Sar will be given the captain's armband his final Premier League appearance, a fitting tribute to an outstanding career.
"Edwin's professionalism and dedication have been fabulous," said Ferguson.
"Some people have a certain quality that involves them needing to be a winner all the time. That is what Edwin has been.
"He has had a great career. He has won four titles with us, Wembley will be his fifth European Cup final and he has more caps than anyone else in Holland.
"It has been a fantastic career and he is going out at the very top."
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| Edwin van der Sar will skipper Manchester United in his final Premier League appearance Photo: Getty Images |
The 40-year-old has proved to be a superb acquisition since his arrival from Fulham six years ago, proving Sir Alex Ferguson was wrong to let him slip through his fingers when Peter Schmeichel quit in 1999.
In his six years at United, he has won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup and the League Cup.
And the veteran Dutchman will bid a fond farewell to Old Trafford after today's clash with Blackpool, having resisted attempts by United fans to persuade him to play on.
He said: "This is going to be my last game. I could have said I may be able to carry for another year but I'm not sure I wanted to deal in maybes.
"It's not because of physical stuff that you have to quit. Nor is it because you can't compete in training anymore but at a certain point you have to make that decision.
"At a certain point you know you can't keep on progressing or even sometimes staying at the same level. You just hope to make the right decision.
"I think this is the right moment. I didn't expect to have gone on for so long anyway. I have already extended my life as a goalkeeper by a couple of years. Now I just want to finish on a high."
Van der Sar will be given the captain's armband his final Premier League appearance, a fitting tribute to an outstanding career.
"Edwin's professionalism and dedication have been fabulous," said Ferguson.
"Some people have a certain quality that involves them needing to be a winner all the time. That is what Edwin has been.
"He has had a great career. He has won four titles with us, Wembley will be his fifth European Cup final and he has more caps than anyone else in Holland.
"It has been a fantastic career and he is going out at the very top."
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