Manchester United's Number 1 has been is fantastic form this season and he has revealed that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson stopped him from quitting.
If Fergie and United hadn't come knocking and he was still at Fulham then Van Der Sar would have quit the game by now.
Van der Sar said: “If I had stayed at Fulham I would have quit the game by now.
“After my third and fourth year there, I thought my chance of playing for a big club again had gone.
“I went to Fulham for the project they explained to me — but it didn’t really work out.
“I might have been playing at a high level for the national team but I was starting to miss those European nights and challenging for titles.
“At certain times you start to — maybe not lose the faith — but just wonder how long it will take until someone picks me up.
“I was thinking, ‘Is it just me? Do I think I’m better than any manager does? Do they think I am just too old or not good enough?’
“But Alex Ferguson bought me and I have to admit, if I had not been at Manchester United, I’d have stopped playing by now.”
“After my third and fourth year there, I thought my chance of playing for a big club again had gone.
“I went to Fulham for the project they explained to me — but it didn’t really work out.
“I might have been playing at a high level for the national team but I was starting to miss those European nights and challenging for titles.
“At certain times you start to — maybe not lose the faith — but just wonder how long it will take until someone picks me up.
“I was thinking, ‘Is it just me? Do I think I’m better than any manager does? Do they think I am just too old or not good enough?’
“But Alex Ferguson bought me and I have to admit, if I had not been at Manchester United, I’d have stopped playing by now.”
He went on to talk about what he would like to be remembered for: “One thing I always wanted was to make a particular save that you would always be remembered for.
“Stopping what proved to be the last penalty in a Champions League final is that moment — something you will cherish for the rest of your life, because you know how important that was for the players, the club and yourself.”
“Stopping what proved to be the last penalty in a Champions League final is that moment — something you will cherish for the rest of your life, because you know how important that was for the players, the club and yourself.”
“Winning it last year was a step forward for this team and we want to prove it’s not luck and that the team we have at the moment is capable of doing it.
“I got to the final the year after winning it with Ajax. When you have won it the year before, it is probably worse to go out the following season because the memories of what it was like to win are still fresh with you.
“Ajax did three in a row in the 70s and those are really great teams who can do it for long periods of time.”
“I got to the final the year after winning it with Ajax. When you have won it the year before, it is probably worse to go out the following season because the memories of what it was like to win are still fresh with you.
“Ajax did three in a row in the 70s and those are really great teams who can do it for long periods of time.”
Van Der Sar will not be playing against Fulham in the FA Cup tomorrow at Craven Cottage but he will be back for the massive match against Inter Milan on Wednesday.
“Normally you go to the San Siro knowing you’re in for a difficult game.
“But we played in the first half with lots of possession and created chances and looked comfortable on the ball".
“Having said that, we know there is still a tough second leg ahead of us.
“Those two up front, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano, you can never let out of your sight.
“They have great ability, quick feet and are a good combination — plus they have Dejan Stankovic playing off them. So we cannot underestimate them.”
“But we played in the first half with lots of possession and created chances and looked comfortable on the ball".
“Having said that, we know there is still a tough second leg ahead of us.
“Those two up front, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano, you can never let out of your sight.
“They have great ability, quick feet and are a good combination — plus they have Dejan Stankovic playing off them. So we cannot underestimate them.”
“The team has got great confidence from winning last year, opponents know now they are playing against the champions.
“But you still have to prove it in every game and we are up for that, to win it again.
“We have never been shy of belief — but maybe as recently as two years ago we would not always play so well away from home. That has changed now.”
“But you still have to prove it in every game and we are up for that, to win it again.
“We have never been shy of belief — but maybe as recently as two years ago we would not always play so well away from home. That has changed now.”
After conceding a Premier League goal after 1,311 minutes, what does Van Der Sar think about it?
“What is important to me is that we are at the halfway stage of something bigger.
“What I want is to retain the Champions League and win the Premier League again. What we are doing with this run is creating the foundation to achieve those things.”
“What I want is to retain the Champions League and win the Premier League again. What we are doing with this run is creating the foundation to achieve those things.”
“I have not played behind a better centre-half partnership than Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
“The understanding between them is great. But even when Rio or Nemanja have been out, Jonny Evans has come in and done a great job also.
“There have been changes at full-back with Patrice Evra injured and suspended and Gary Neville and Wes Brown out. But it has remained well-organised and everyone knows their job.
“In fact that’s the same right through the team.
“The manager changes quite a lot of players but everyone knows what he can do in his position and what the guy left and right of them can do.”
“The understanding between them is great. But even when Rio or Nemanja have been out, Jonny Evans has come in and done a great job also.
“There have been changes at full-back with Patrice Evra injured and suspended and Gary Neville and Wes Brown out. But it has remained well-organised and everyone knows their job.
“In fact that’s the same right through the team.
“The manager changes quite a lot of players but everyone knows what he can do in his position and what the guy left and right of them can do.”
