It has been a tough season for the veteran Dutchman, who suffered two lengthy absences before being granted compassionate leave just before Christmas when his wife Annemarie suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Thankfully, his wife has recovered sufficiently well for Van der Sar to resume his career at Old Trafford, and the stopper told United Review: "It feels really good to be back playing. It has been a stop-start season for me and you miss your weekly routine of training and games. But if feels great to be back in the swing of things and playing for United again."

Van der Sar kept the third clean sheet since his return to action in the five-goal hammering of Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Saturday.

It contributed to a run of six wins and a draw that has catapulted the Red Devils back into the thick of a Barclays Premier League title battle that, after Chelsea's 2-0 win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, now just seems to involve United and Carlo Ancelotti's Blues.

Sir Alex Ferguson credits a lot of the improvement to Van der Sar although, typically, the former Ajax keeper is taking the plaudits in his stride.

"Every manager speaks highly of his players and I am sure other managers say the same about their goalkeepers," he said.

"But I know that I get good recognition here at United - from the players and the manager.

"It is always good to hear you have the support and trust of the people you work with.

"It is good to know I have that here."