Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 4:45 PM• Rian Rosendaal • Last update: 17:10

Due to the announced departure of Vice President Ed Woodward from Manchester United, there is already speculation in the English media about his successor. Manchester Evening News has compiled a three-man list with a prominent place on it for Edwin van der Sar, the current general manager of Ajax. It is not the first time that the former goalkeeper has been linked with a return to Old Trafford, where he was active as a player between 2005 and 2011. Richard Arnold and Cliff Baty, who already hold executive positions at the English top club, are the other candidates.

The aforementioned English newspaper thinks Van der Sar is the favorite candidate among the Manchester United supporters. “The Dutchman is not only fully aware of what it means to be a United player, but he has also achieved immense success in a similar role as a director,” the Ajax director was described on Wednesday. It remains to be seen whether Van der Sar will eventually take over from Woodward. “It is wishful thinking, but he would be warmly welcomed by supporters and could play a key role in regaining the confidence that has been lost in recent days, “he said, referring to the uproar surrounding Manchester United’s entry into the Super League.

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Van der Sar was already pushed forward in 2019 for a top position on the Manchester United board. However, an interim departure from Ajax was not an option for him at the time. Two years later, it may still happen and according to Paul Scholes, the superpower makes an excellent choice in that case. “Someone like Van der Sar would be really perfect, because he has done very well at Ajax. He has studied for this position and his ambitions are less than great. He is really a top candidate,” said Van der Sar’s former teammate. Manchester United recently know in the English media.

Should Van der Sar choose to succeed Woodward, it will not be immediately after this season. Manchester United will only say goodbye to the vice-president, who has been with the club since 2005, at the end of 2021. The club’s official statement does not mention the term ‘Super League’, but it is widely believed that the driver will resign as a result of pressure from the outside world following the controversial plan.