Michael Owen says Edwin van der Sar is the ideal goalkeeper for Manchester United.

The Dutchman turns 40 tomorrow.

"I just think he's so suited to Manchester United," Owen, the United striker, says of the oldest post-war player in the club's history (though still some way short of Billy Meredith, who was 46 years and 281 days when he played his last game in 1921).

"The way he is with his feet, for example - the way he never panics when he is kicking. You might not notice it but you can't underestimate how much that helps the team.

"He'll play the ball out to his full-back and get it back and there might be no pass on with somebody charging him down. But he won't panic. Some goalkeepers are so scared of making a mistake they will just whack it, but not Edwin. Edwin sets off everything for us."