Van der Sar not going to Manchester United: ‘Am not done at Ajax yet’

Ajax director Edwin van der Sar was this week specifically linked with a move to Manchester United. Although he was previously approached once for the position of Director of Football and then turned it down, again, according to the goalie, there is no question of a switch. “I’m not done here at Ajax yet,” the former striker assured.

Speaking to The Times when asked, he addressed the rumours surrounding his persona. “It has never been as close as has been written,” Van der Sar said of the rumours surrounding him. “I have a good relationship with the Manchester United board and I have had six fantastic years there. But at the moment I have not finished my work at Ajax.”

In doing so, Van der Sar is making a different choice from Erik ten Hag, who did move from Amsterdam to Manchester this summer. “Of course we tried to persuade him to stay, but Erik ten Hag is someone who knows what he wants. This was the big challenge he wanted to take on,” the former goalkeeper said, praising the coach. “He is relentless. He wants to achieve as much as possible in his career.”

That Antony also switched to The Red Devils like Ten Hag and Lisandro Martinez hurt Van der Sar. “That was an economic decision, but a very difficult one. We knew there was interest, but it was difficult to find another suitable replacement. I don’t think it was good how Antony handled it, but it’s important that all players leaving Ajax are successful, because that also reflects on us.”