Van der Sar mulls sideways move into player-coaching role with United

Edwin van der Sar is in talks with officials about his future and may take on a player-coach role at the club.

The Holland goalkeeper is in the last year of his contract and has indicated that he wants to remain with the Barclays Premier League champions.

Although United manager Ferguson hopes to install England prospect Ben Foster as his No 1 next season, he is keen to keep the 37-year-old veteran on his staff and he has spoken to Van der Sar about a dual role.

With keeper coach Tony Coton's future at the mercy of a knee injury that recently required surgery, Ferguson is aware that he may need extra help with his vast coaching network.

The only sticking point is whether Van der Sar feels he can continue to play regular football elsewhere as the first-choice keeper, because it seems he is not ready to retire.

But Ferguson believes he could offer a great deal to current No 2 Tomasz Kuszczak and Foster, who is making excellent progress after knee surgery and could be in contention for a firstteam place by the end of the season.