'I joined Man Utd because of Ruud van Nistelrooy - he convinced boss why I must be signed'

Edwin van der Sar's move to Manchester United in 2005 was instigated by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who gave Sir Alex Ferguson a three-word plea to convince him to sign his Netherlands team-mate

Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar admitted that it was thanks to Ruud van Nistelrooy's recommendation that he ended up at Old Trafford.

After stints with Ajax and Juventus and seemingly winding down his career with Fulham, Van der Sar's move to Manchester United in 2005 brought a renaissance for the Dutch keeper.

When Sir Alex Ferguson was on the lookout for a new number one after Peter Schmeichel's departure, his former Netherlands team-mate Van Nistelrooy chimed in with crucial advice.

On Rio Ferdinand's show, Van der Sar confessed: "I think that was the reason why Ferguson signed me in the end," admitting it was Van Nistelrooy's word which lead to him being signed by United, despite Fergie's initial hesitation due to Van der Sar's age.

"I think Ruud had a conversation [with Ferguson] at the end of the [previous season] about next steps for United, and he said, 'We're looking for a midfielder and a goalkeeper. . .so why don't you take Van der Sar?'"

The former Fulham man recounted how his fellow Dutchman put in a good word for him with Ferguson, which clearly worked out as Van der Sar became an integral part of the team.

"'Yeah, okay, but he's old' and everything," he added before mimicking Van Nistelrooy's defence of three particular qualities. "'Okay, but he still plays in the Premier League, he plays for the national team. . .[he] probably has another two good years in him.' And I think that's how the ball started rolling," reports the Manchester Evening News.

The rest, as they say, was history, and Van der Sar went on to etch his name in the history books as one of United's greatest goalkeepers. In the end, he went on to play six seasons as the Red Devils' undisputed starter before retiring in 2011 at the age of 40.

His time at Old Trafford was littered with silverware, including four Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League crown. United also reached two other Champions League finals with him between the posts, not to mention clinching two League Cups as well.

There's perhaps no other stopper who comes closer to challenging treble-winner Schmeichel for the throne as United's best keeper of all time. And it's all thanks to a well-timed tip-off from Van Nistelrooy, whose eye for talent was sharp even as a player.

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