7 things Edwin van der Sar’s Man Utd arrival could fix following CEO comments

Edwin van der Sar is being hotly tipped to succeed Ed Woodward after saying he would only work for Ajax or Manchester United.

The Red Devils legend has earned plenty of admiration in his role as Ajax CEO, and was frequently linked with a director of football role at Old Trafford before John Murtough was appointed.

So it was no surprise that speculation turned to Van der Sar after it was announced that Woodward would step down as United's executive vice-chairman at the end of 2021.

And the former goalkeeper has done nothing to quell the rumours after admitting he would only leave Ajax for the club where he won four Premier League titles and the Champions League.

"I won't work at a club where I don't have a feeling," Van der Sar told ESPN. "I could only do this for Ajax or United. I would not work for any other clubs."

Here, Mirror Sport looks at seven issues the 50-year-old could fix if he takes the top job at the Theatre of Dreams.

Getting the fans back onside

In the light of current protests against United's unpopular owners, this would potentially be the biggest advantage of appointing Van der Sar.

Woodward is seen very much as the Glazers' man after being appointed by the American family after advising them during their takeover of the club in 2005.

Van der Sar is a fan favourite after his hugely successful six seasons as Red Devils' keeper, and his appointment would mean a presence in the boardroom who understands the hopes, dreams and frustrations of supporters.

It is unclear at present how long the Glazers will remain in charge, but if they intend to be in it for the long haul they could start the process of earning fans' trust by giving the top job to a club legend.

Having a football man in charge

This has been a huge issue for United since Woodward took over from David Gill as the club's CEO back in 2013.

Woodward's commercial aptitude has never been in doubt, with the former investment banker having proved adept at securing a range of sponsorship and partnership deals during his tenure.

But his record in overseeing transfer deals was less successful, with Woodward receiving stick for the millions spent on big-name players who failed to get United back to the top.

Van der Sar was given a role as marketing director at Ajax in 2012 at the suggestion of Johan Cruyff, and it was precisely because of his footballing background that the club legend wanted him.

He previously told The Athletic : “When I ended my playing career in 2011 I had a chat with Johan and he said, ‘I want ex-players that have reached the top and have experience of winning and failure, of dealing with press and with tensions, to be part of the board’. I wanted to give something back to Ajax who gave me an opportunity.”

With Van der Sar in the top operational role, there would be no danger of big decisions being made without the benefit of proper footballing expertise.

Getting United back to the top

United have failed to win the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson and Gill both left the club in 2013, with only an FA Cup, an EFL Cup, a Europa League triumph and two Community Shields added to the trophy cabinet in recent seasons.

Since Van der Sar was promoted to the role of Ajax CEO, the club have returned to the top of Dutch football and reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

"I am really happy with how we have [developed] Ajax in the last couple of years," Van der Sar told ESPN. "We had ambitions 10 years ago to reach the top of Europe. We have reached that."

Of course, Van der Sar, is just one factor in the club's progress since he took charge – but his experience of boardroom success could potentially prove as crucial to United off the field as his goalkeeping was on it.

Making the money work

As Van der Sar has been keen to stress, Ajax's success has come without the aid of billionaire owners or other significant income from outside the club.

"We had to work really hard, we don't have a rich owner and the government didn't help us," he said.

United, on the other hand, do have rich owners – although if they were to appoint Van der Sar they would no doubt be keen for their money to be managed prudently.

The 50-year-old has proved he can do that, and it's another tick in favour of the Dutchman.

Donny van de Beek conundrum

Uncertainty continues to surround Donny van de Beek's future, with the £35m man having hardly played since signing from Ajax last summer.

The noises from inside United continue to suggest that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees the midfielder as part of his future plans, even if the evidence on the pitch so far has indicated otherwise.

Van der Sar will of course know Van de Beek well from their time together at the Johan Cruyff Arena, and the appointment of his compatriot could help settle the 24-year-old.

The former United man has previously spoken of how he liked to direct his team-mates from his vantage point in goal – and he might have some advice for Solskjaer on how to get the best out of Van de Beek.

Development of young players

Van de Beek is just one of a host of young players to risen to prominence after developing at Ajax, along with the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong.

United also have a decent record in terms of player development in recent seasons, with Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Scott McTominay among the young players who have risen through the ranks to become important first-team players.

So this isn't so much an issue to be fixed, but rather an area that can continue to be improved as United aim towards a more successful future.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to develop young players who can help the first team thrive for years to come, and in former team-mate Van der Sar he would have a willing and able accomplice in the boardroom.

Contacts throughout the game – and beyond

As mentioned above, Van der Sar began his rise to the top job at Ajax after being appointed as marketing director.

His job took him around the globe as he negotiated commercial deals and struck up new contacts.

“I was flying around the world, going to China, going to the States, finding the right partners," he told The Athletic.

"Of course, my name helped me and the club a lot… so it was easy to knock on a door and to get it open. And you carry people around who close the deal and it’s hard work, it’s not easy.”

Given his promotion to the top role four years after that, Van der Sar's phone will be full of useful contacts from both the footballing and commercial worlds.

While Woodward struggled in the transfer market, Van der Sar wouldn't have that problem – and he would also fill the commercial void left by the current executive vice-chairman.

And that could prove hugely useful for United as Solskjaer looks to get the club back to the top of English, European and world football.

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