Edwin van der Sar open to Manchester United return as director of football

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 07 April 2019

Edwin van der Sar is open to the possibility of returning to Manchester United in a boardroom role, but not until he has finished his project with current employers Ajax.

Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar has revealed that he would be open to returning to the club in a director of football capacity.

The Red Devils are looking to create the new boardroom position in time for the summer transfer window, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believed to have given his full blessing.

Van der Sar, who won four Premier League titles and one Champions League during his playing days at Old Trafford, is among the names to have been linked with the as-yet-uncreated role.

While the 48-year-old wants to further himself one day, however, he says that he has no reason to leave his job as Ajax chief executive at this moment in time.

"I'm really happy in Amsterdam and we're not finished yet," he told The Times. "Marc [Overmars] always said you want to touch the crossbar.

"What he means is we want to reach a high point and that's what we want to do for another couple of years. United is a much bigger challenge than Ajax.

"They're not just a big and famous club but also a worldwide brand, yet when you're inside, it's still a family place. The washing ladies, Mike the chef, Kath (the receptionist), they're still there.

"You need to cherish that and Ole is doing a great job at it." Also Ed [Woodward] - I have utmost respect for him and what he does for the club so I don't need to be the big man."

RB Leipzig's Paul Mitchell is also believed to be in the running to become United's first director of football, while iconic former player Eric Cantona was considered to be among the favourites at one stage.