Dutch International Stekelenburg to replace compatriot at Old Trafford
According to recent reports, Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson has finally shortlisted http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maarten-Stekelenburg-c22998 to replace outgoing Edwin van der Sar as United’s new number one.
The reason for this is quite obvious; Van der Sar has gone on to confirm that he is going to be retiring at the end of the season and Ferguson wants to land a keeper, who can fit into the Dutch veteran’s shoes. As a result the Manager has opted to capture
the signature of Stekelenburg, who seems to be the most competent player around.
It was previously believed that Ferguson would go on to pick between http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-de-Gea-c10463 or Stekelenburg; however, it seems that the Manager has already made up his mind and saved the fans from the trouble of wondering who would be United’s next signing.
Manchester United’s Coach Rene Meulensteen, has recently gone on to confirm that the 28-year-old Stekelenburg is the favourite to be coming in to the club.
Rene is reported to have said, "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."
Van der Sar joined United during the 2005 season, and has managed to make two hundred and forty five appearances for the team to date. The player is set to increase on that number by at least fifteen to sixteen matches, before finally calling it quits on
his six-year career with the team.
The veteran keeper has been a part of the Dutch International side since 1995 and ended his International career in year 2008, after making a hundred and thirty appearances for the team.
On the other hand, Stekelenburg made his debut for Ajax in 2002 and has made two hundred and thirty six appearances for the team so far. The keeper was also part of the Dutch World Cup side, making it to the finals of the tournament.
There are striking similarities between the two keepers, with both of them being vertically gifted and having a rather amazing presence in the area.
If Stekelenburg is to make the move, it is going to be at the end of the season; however, it is believed that a pre-contract agreement will be decided upon between the two sides before the current football season in Europe comes to an end.
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