Van der Sar has confirmed he will retire at the end of the season and his final Premier League appearance will be against Blackpool at Old Trafford.

"He has been fantastic. Absolutely sensational," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. "Edwin's professionalism and dedication have been fabulous.

"A goalkeeper's training is completely different from an outfield player. It involves diving about the goalmouth all the time, saving shots and blocks.

"It is hard to imagine a normal person being able to do that when they were over 40. But he is special. He has something inside him.

"Some people have a certain quality that involves them needing to be a winner all the time. That is what Edwin has been.

"He has had a great career. He has won four titles with us, Wembley will be his fifth European Cup final and he has more caps than anyone else in Holland.

"It has been a fantastic career and he is going out at the very top."