Edwin van der Sar stands as one of the most influential goalkeepers of his era. A pioneer of the "ball-playing goalkeeper" role long before it became the industry standard, the former Ajax and Fulham shot-stopper earned 130 caps for the Netherlands and made 266 appearances for Manchester United between 2005 and 2011. During his time with the Red Devils, the Dutchman secured four Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy in 2008. From his years under Sir Alex Ferguson, Van der Sar carried a specific piece of advice that stayed with him throughout his tenure as CEO of Ajax (2016–2023). In an interview with So Foot, he shared this pearl of wisdom from the legendary Scotsman—a formula rooted in both humility and grit: "He often told us: 'The eleven opponents might not even be worthy of lacing your boots. But if they work harder than you, if they play as a team, they can beat you. So, never let them outwork you.'" A simple maxim, but one that remains as relevant as ever for any coach or player.
Edwin van der Sar earned 130 caps for the Netherlands and made 266 appearances for Manchester United between 2005 and 2011 / ©Icon Sport