Bayern boss brands Van der Sar as 'manufactured'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Louis van Gaal has branded fellow Dutchman Edwin van der Sar a "manufactured goalkeeper".
The pair go head-to-head in the Allianz Arena tonight 15 years after Van der Sar was part of Van Gaal's Ajax side that claimed Champions League glory at Juventus' expense.
Little could the current Bayern Munich coach have known the keeper he helped develop would stand in his way of a semi-final berth as he approaches his 40th birthday.
Van Gaal's assessment of an extreme talent was not exactly the greatest compliment and neither is it likely to win the Manchester United player's approval.
But, in using exactly the same phrase as Sir Alex Ferguson once used to describe David Beckham, Van Gaal insists he is correct.
"I always say Van der Sar is a manufactured goalkeeper," said Van Gaal.
"He is not so happy when I say it, but there are more natural goalkeepers in the world.
"Van der Sar has been made into a goalkeeper. It is my philosophy to train the brain and that is the reason why Van der Sar has been around so long.
"He always works with his brain. That is his secret. He is a great role model for goalkeepers around the world."
Van Gaal will no doubt be hoping the veteran keeper forgets a few things tonight as Bayern look to better their stated aim of a place in the last eight.
The hosts are sweating on the fitness of former Chelsea star Arjen Robben, who aggravated a groin injury in Saturday's defeat by Stuttgart, and Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended, but Franck Ribery is expected to play despite being plagued by an ankle problem recently.
There is a hint from the German camp that Bayern would be happy with a goalless draw ahead of next Wednesday's Old Trafford decider.
However, Van Gaal insists there is no sense of inferiority amongst his squad, especially concerning Wayne Rooney.
"I never have fear and my players don't have any fear either," said Van Gaal.
"We value Rooney's quality. He is a super footballer.
"When he was younger, I often wondered whether he had the vision in his game.
"He has developed that now and is very hard to mark out of the game.
"But we can manage because we also have quality. Ferguson and his players should be scared of that."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments