December decision time for Van der Sar

Edwin van der Sar has set his usual December deadline to decide whether to extend his Manchester United career.

For three seasons now, the 38-year-old has waited until the depths of winter to determine his fate, which the answer coming up positive each time. And Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed it will be no different this term, even though the Dutchman has apparently already said he wants to continue.

"It has always been the case with Edwin that he has made the decision around the end of December and it will be this same this season too,'' said Ferguson. "There is going to be a time when he decides it is time but he never does anything at this stage of the season.''

In fact, Ferguson is more concerned Van der Sar is available again this season after he suffered two broken fingers in a pre-season game against Bayern Munich in July.

It was originally thought the former Fulham star would be out for two months, but Ferguson has confirmed he will be sidelined for another three weeks, meaning the first time he will be available is the encounter with Bolton on October 17.

In theory, Van der Sar's continued absence left Ferguson with a selection dilemma for the trip to Stoke.

Poland international Tomasz Kuszczak certainly must have been fancying his chances after keeping a clean sheet against Wolves on Wednesday, just three days after Ben Foster's dismal performance against Manchester City.

However, Ferguson has already decided to keep faith with Foster, who he believes will go to the World Cup as England's first-choice keeper.

"Ben will play tomorrow,'' he said. "I didn't have any doubts. We are not worrying about the odd mistake - young players make them all the time -- and he has not have a great deal of game experience. I do not have a problem with the boy."

Manchester United Goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar Undecided Over Retirement

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has refused to confirm whether he will retire at the end of the season, saying that he will only make his decision in December.

The 38-year-old, who has yet to feature this season due to a broken thumb, admitted that while he felt as fit as ever, the inevitable end of his career was nearing.

“I've said for a few years that it sometimes may be my last season,” Van der Sar said, according to The Daily Mail.

“Six months before my contract with Manchester United ended in December 2006, we extended for one year and so far it has been the same every time.

“I wait each season to see where I stand, if everyone is happy and if I can still get motivated. But I know, because I always get older, it is increasingly likely that this will be my last season.

“In December, it will be clear how it goes. By then, I'll have clarity. It is a horrible dilemma. On the one hand I do not oversleep, I feel as good as a few years ago.”

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said previously that he did not expect the Dutch 'keeper to continue beyond 2010 - but he may be hoping to be proven wrong, given Ben Foster's recent efforts between the sticks.

Manchester United’s Van der Sar to Miss Start of New Season After Surgery

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will miss the start of the soccer season following surgery on a broken finger and bone in his left hand.

Van der Sar, who got injured saving a penalty in United’s shootout loss to Bayern Munich in the Audi Cup pre-season tournament, won’t be back until Aug. 29 at the earliest, United said on its Web site.

Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak are the backup goalkeepers in United’s squad. United manager Alex Ferguson last month backed Foster, 26, to eventually establish himself as England’s first-choice goalkeeper.

United plays Chelsea in the Community Shield on Aug. 9 before opening the defense of its Premier League title a week later against Birmingham.

Manchester United's Edwin Van der Sar out for two months

Manchester United will be without their first-choice goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar, for about two months after the Dutchman had surgery on a broken finger and bone in his left hand.

Van der Sar sustained the injury saving a penalty during United's shoot-out against Bayern Munich in a pre-season tournament in Germany last week and United have confirmed he will be out for "up to eight weeks".

His absence opens the way for Ben Foster to prove his worth at Old Trafford. Foster has been described by United's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, as England's best goalkeeper but the 26-year-old has had few first-team chances because of injuries and Van der Sar's excellence.

With United ruling out Van der Sar until 29 August at the earliest, Foster has a chance to stake a claim for a regular place not just with his club but also with England in the build-up to next summer's World Cup.

United play a friendly against Valencia tonight and then face Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday before the Premier League season begins. Tomasz Kuszczak is the other goalkeeping option available to Ferguson.

Manchester United Keeper Van Der Sar Looking Forward To Audi Tournament

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar appeared pleased to be back in Europe after his club's pre-season tour of Asia, as the Red Devils' preparations for the coming campaign continue with their participation in the Audi Cup this week.

United take on Argentine giants Boca Juniors in Munich on Wednesday, before meeting either hosts Bayern Munich or AC Milan in the final a day later.

They ended their Asian tour with an 8-2 hammering of Chinese side Hangzhou Greentown andVan der Sar seemed pleased that the club had enjoyed a successful tour of Asia and were now taking their preparations up another notch.

"We played four games, and we just came back from China so we're a bit tired," he told Sky Sports News.

"It's good to see the sunshine here in Munich and I think hopefully with one or two days we'll be ready to play in the Audi tournament."