Harper hails 'legendary' United keeper Steve Harper gives his verdict on Manchester United’s Edwin Van der Sar

After the announcement that Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar will hang up his gloves at the end of the season, there has been no end of superlatives thrown his way.

Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper is the latest player to praise the 40-year-old Dutchman, for everything he has brought to the English game, and for raising the bar in terms of Barclays Premier League stoppers.

"He's been outstanding wherever he's been, and I think Sir Alex said he wishes he had signed him in 1999 when (Peter) Schmeichel left. What better compliment than that?"

It’s true that Sir Alex Ferguson called for Van der Sar to make a u-turn on his decision to quit Old Trafford, through fear of having to find a replacement for the evergreen star ahead of the new campaign.