Van der Sar will miss the start of Premier League season

The Dutch goalkeeper of Manchester United, Edwin Van der Sar was injured saving a penalty from Danijel Pranjic in a pre-season friendly with Bayern Munich and underwent surgery for a broken finger. According to the official club’s website Van der Sar faces an eight weeks pause after the surgery on his left hand and will probably be in a good form in late September.

Premier League 2009/2010 season will start on Saturday 15th of August, Manchester United playing on Sunday 16th against Birmingham. Despite Van der Sar’s injury, major bookmakers like Ladbrokes see Manchester as sure favorite with 1.16 odds, Birmingham having just twelve to one chances.

Before the season’s start Manchester will play two more matches: on Wednesday, a friendly game against Valencia and this Sunday, the Community Shield match (equivalent to Super Cup in other countries) against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.

The 38 year old Dutch goalkeeper had an important role in the last season setting a new English record of 14 consecutive league clean sheets and helping United to win the 18th league title. His experience and skill were rewarded in April 2009 when Van der Sar was effectively named best goalkeeper in the Barclays Premier League.

Having a very good season Van de Sar kept Ben Foster, a young promising goalkeeper, and Tomasz Kuszczak, he’s shadow in the last three years, as reserves. His injury represents an opportunity for the two players to prove their skills and impress everybody especially Sir Alex Ferguson.