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Edwin van der Sar responds to claims he could return to Manchester United as director of football

Van der Sar responds to claims he could return to Man United as director of football
© Reuters
Manchester United are handed a blow as Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar says that he is "not finished" in Amsterdam amid rumours of a return to Old Trafford.

Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar has insisted that he is "not finished" in Amsterdam amid suggestions that Manchester United want him to become their new director of football.

The 51-year-old was allegedly recently contacted by Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag to discuss the possibility of returning to the club that he represented as a player between 2005 and 2011.

However, the Dutchman, who has been in his role at Ajax since 2016, has revealed that he is not currently looking to leave the Eredivisie champions.

"It's never been that close. I have a good relationship with the board and I had a fantastic six years in Manchester, but I'm not finished here yet," Van der Sar told The Times.

The former goalkeeper was keen to pay tribute to Ten Hag, meanwhile, with the manager winning three league titles and two Dutch Cups for Ajax before taking charge at Old Trafford.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pictured on October 19, 2022© Reuters

"We saw the work Erik has done when he established himself as a young coach. He's relentless, he wants to achieve as much as possible. The training exercises, the way he wants to play, it is coming into a picture," said Van der Sar.

Ajax sold both Lisandro Martinez and Antony to Man United over the summer, with the former arriving in a deal worth around £56.7m, while the latter cost in the region of £85m.

Van der Sar has said that the Dutch outfit were determined to keep hold of both players in the recent window but were ultimately unable to reject the huge money on the table.

"It was our opinion they should stay for another year. We gave a firm 'no' to Arsenal when they came first for Lisandro; we fought hard to keep him," Van der Sar added.

Antony celebrates pulling one back for Manchester United on October 2, 2022© Reuters

"It was [an] economic [decision] but it was a hard one to take. We knew there was interest but not at that level and it was too late to find a good replacement.

"I don't think the way [Antony] handled it was the correct one, but it's important all the players who leave Ajax have success because it reflects well on us."

Martinez has been a vital player for Man United since his arrival, making 15 appearances in all competitions, forming an impressive centre-back partnership with Raphael Varane.

Antony, meanwhile, has also been in strong form for the Red Devils this term, with the Brazil international scoring three goals in six Premier League appearances.

Both Martinez and Antony played the full 90 minutes of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with Casemiro's late header earning a point for the 20-time English champions.

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