Ferguson hints at van der Sar's retirement

Manchester: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson expects goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to retire at the end of the season.

The 40-year-old Dutchman has featured 19 times this season, helping United reach the Premier League summit and the Champions League knockout phase.

But Ferguson said on Thursday, "We are planning for this being his last season."

Van der Sar has won three Premier League titles and the Champions League since arriving in 2005 from Fulham and has a contract until the end of this season.

There could still be a coaching role for Van der Sar at United in the future.

Ferguson said, "We have not discussed it but Edwin is a player who would be of interest in terms of his knowledge and standing in the game."