Edwin Van der Sar on the wrong end of things when United won the competition in 2017, but hopes they can repeat the trick this year
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has reflected on the last time United turned their season around with a Europa League triumph, expressing hope that his old team can achieve similar success eight years on.
Under Jose Mourinho’s leadership, United prioritised the Europa League over domestic performance as they finished the Premier League season in sixth place. This strategy proved fruitful; United claimed the Europa League title and secured a spot in the Champions League by defeating Ajax 2-0 in the final held in Stockholm.
Van Der Sar was chief executive of United’s opponents that night and the former United shot-stopper sees parallels with the club’s present circumstances under Ruben Amorim, whose squad is positioned 14th in the league yet is on the brink of reaching the Europa League final following a convincing 3-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final first leg.
“I know they had it once before in 2017 and I was the other team in the final with Ajax. I was director, the chief executive,” Van der Sar told the PA Sport News Agency.
“We were of course delighted to reach the Europa League final but when you’re in a final you want, and you need, to win it.
“I think even that time United were outside the Champions League positions, so they were over the moon that they won the trophy.
“That situation or that possibility is still there for them, and hopefully they can save a small part of the season.
“But mainly being attractive for players and other personnel to come to United, and help them gaining respect, quality and not better players but different kind of players for the system that the manager wants to play.”
Despite being on the losing side to United in 2017, Van der Sar maintains a deep fondness for the club where he clinched four Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy during his six-year tenure.
“It’s an amazing club, we had great success, a fantastic manager,” he added.
“I spoke to (Sir Alex) Ferguson last month when I was there (visiting), and the guys who are running the club now.
“Hopefully with the warm feeling that I have, hopefully in the next coming years they can be, they need to be, back up at the level where they should be.”
Van der Sar relished his recent trip to Old Trafford, where he is scheduled to participate in Soccer Aid for UNICEF on June 15.
This will mark the 54 year old ex-Netherlands international’s second match since recovering from a brain haemorrhage shortly after departing Ajax in 2023.
“You’re not doing it for yourself, it’s of course for a good cause in UNICEF,” Van der Sar continued. “But it’s an amazing feeling to get back to Old Trafford and be back on the pitch again.
“I had a brain haemorrhage two years ago and that game in October, which was in Korea, was the first one.
“So, I did some training with my son and you want to give a good impression to the fans and also for yourself, so on that part the health issues are gone.
“I work out once or twice a week in a gym, I cycle a lot on the road or with the mountain bike, play padel, golf.
“That’s one of the benefits of not having a job at the moment that you have time to do other things and travel a lot, so that’s why I hope to be as fit as a fiddle come the game.”
Soccer Aid for UNICEF is set to kick off on June 15 at Old Trafford. Adult tickets start from £20 and junior tickets from just £10.
For more details or to purchase tickets, visit socceraid.org.uk.