Ferguson said United were already planning for life without van der Sar on the pitch, although the 40-year-old Holland international could possibly stay on as a coach at Old Trafford.

“We are planning for this being his last season,” Ferguson said. Asked about whether the goalkeeper could stay on to help coach his successor, Ferguson said the issue had not been discussed.

“But Edwin is a player who would be of interest in terms of his knowledge and standing in the game,” he told reporters.

United last week confirmed the capture of Anders Lindegaard from Aalesunds FK on a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old is already training with United and will be formally registered when the transfer window opens in January.

“We can’t register (Lindegaard) until after the Stoke game because of the Bank Holiday,” Ferguson added.

“But he is training with us now and that is important. It will bring him to a better level of fitness because he has not played for a few weeks. We will see how his progress goes.”