How Manchester United’s 2005 trip to Hong Kong paid off for Van der Sar
Former goalkeeper revisits city ahead of United’s match against Hong Kong on Friday
While Manchester United’s match in Hong Kong this week gives fans a long-awaited first-hand sighting of their idols, Edwin van der Sar has said the club’s 2005 visit offered rare insights for him, too.
The former goalkeeper said his first Far East tour with United, which began in the city, planted the seed for what he later did after hanging up his gloves in 2011.
A playing career highlighted by two Champions League triumphs, a 1998 World Cup semi-final with the Netherlands and eight domestic titles in his homeland and England was followed by a string of successes in the Ajax boardroom.
Talking to the Post ahead of United’s clash with a Hong Kong XI on Friday, Van der Sar recalled his first overseas match for the Old Trafford club after signing from Fulham: a 2-0 pre-season victory over Hong Kong.
“It was the latter stage of my career and helped me prepare for my future job at Ajax – I realised there is so much more behind the manager and 11 guys who start the match,” Van der Sar said.
“Also, going to a new club and spending time on tour was a great way to connect with players, staff and my goalkeeping coach. It was a chance to feel the size of the club and number of fans. I always enjoyed being away, meeting supporters and speaking to television.”