Manchester United 'to snub Edwin van der Sar in director of football search'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 22 November 2020

Man Utd 'to snub Van der Sar in director of football search'

Manchester United identify Everton's Marcel Brands as their leading candidate for a new director of football instead of former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to overlook former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in their search for a new director of football.

Van der Sar's Ajax colleague and fellow Premier League star Marc Overmars recently admitted that the pair were on the lookout for a new challenge, with the duo soon linked with a return to England at Old Trafford.

However, according to The Sun, United chiefs instead have their eye on Everton's director of football Marcel Brands, who is in the final year of his deal at Goodison Park.

Brands oversaw a strong summer of spending on Merseyside, which saw Carlo Ancelotti's ranks boosted by the signings of James Rodriguez, Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ben Godfrey.

As a result, the report claims that United will not take Van der Sar's history as a Red Devils player into account and are keen to land Brands as their new director of football, and the Everton chief would be open to joining.

Van der Sar spent six years as United number one between 2005 and 2011, winning four Premier League titles and one Champions League crown under Sir Alex Ferguson.