Man Utd icon lifts the lid on his brain haemorrhage and how his life has changed

Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar has revealed details about the brain haemorrhage he endured in 2023, and how he is now living a more tranquil life. The Dutch goalkeeper arrived at Old Trafford during the summer of 2005, having caught the eye whilst playing for newly-promoted Fulham.

Van der Sar swiftly established himself as Sir Alex Ferguson's number one shot-stopper and delivered exceptional performances. He remained the Red Devils' custodian until 2011, clocking up more than 250 appearances. During his tenure, he secured four Premier League titles and lifted the Champions League trophy. Following his retirement 14 years ago, Van der Sar made a brief single-match comeback for his childhood team, VV Noordwijk, in 2016 and remained involved in football, latterly serving as an executive at Ajax. However, in July 2023, he was rushed to intensive care in Croatia following a brain haemorrhage and remained hospitalised for a fortnight.

Van der Sar has now provided insight into the frightening experience and acknowledges his life has transformed significantly for the positive. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, he said: "Was I afraid of dying? Honestly, no.

"I was helped immediately; the ambulance took me straight to the hospital, where the best doctors looked after me. When I returned home, my family and a physiotherapist were always by my side.

"Now my life is much calmer, when my phone was always ringing and I had to make important decisions and support the team and manager. Now I enjoy time with my family, travel, play padel and go cycling."

The 54-year-old was initially admitted into an intensive care unit after suffering a bleed around the brain while on holiday in Split. He was later moved to his home country, where he continued to be treated and was released after a fortnight.

It was in the Netherlands with Ajax that Van der Sar began his footballing journey, after being brought to their reserve side by ex-United head coach Louis van Gaal. He won Dutch Football Goalkeeper of the Year in his first full season in Amsterdam, and after years of service, found himself linked with a move abroad.

Yet, things could have turned out quite differently for Van der Sar. He admits that Liverpool were one of the options he had when he left Ajax in 1999, but he instead chose Juventus.

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express MUFC newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.

"I had two options: Liverpool or Juventus. I spoke to both clubs, but my heart led me to Italy," continued Van der Sar, who played 88 times for the Old Lady before moving to Fulham and then United. "Serie A was the best league in those years. I was intrigued by the idea of playing for a team where a legendary goalkeeper like [Dino] Zoff had made his mark.

"Do I regret it? No. I didn't play my best football, but criticism is part of the game. It was still a wonderful experience to live and play in Italy. The summer I arrived, my team-mates would always take me out for dinner. The food in Turin's restaurants was fantastic: at the end of the evening, I'd get my credit card ready, but I never paid."