Man Utd could offer Edwin van der Sar a coaching role if he retires at the end of the season.
Ferguson wants to discuss coaching job with Dutchman
Manchester United could offer Edwin van der Sar a coaching role at Old Trafford if he retires at the end of the current campaign.
The goalkeeper has yet to officially state his intentions, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed last month that he expected the 40-year-old to bring an end to his playing career in May.
United are eager to keep Van der Sar, a 130-time Holland international and double winner of the UEFA Champions League, as part of the club's backroom staff if he does quit and he could act a possible mentor for new signing Anders Lindegaard.
"We're planning for it to be possibly Edwin's last season," said Ferguson ahead of Boxing Day's home match with Sunderland.
Deal
Asked about a possible coaching role for Van der Sar, the United boss said: "He'll be someone of interest in terms of his knowledge and experience, but we haven't discussed that yet."
Lindegaard has started training with United after a deal was agreed with Aalesund and the Denmark international will be officially registered with the Premier League leaders in January.
Van der Sar is expected to face Sunderland, but United will still be without Paul Scholes and John O'Shea due to respective groin and calf injuries, while Nemanja Vidic, Nani, Anderson and Michael Carrick have been suffering with illness.
"We've no injuries to report other than Scholes and O'Shea," said Ferguson. "Wes Brown picked up a little injury in the week but he should be OK.
Blessing
"The biggest thing we've been trying to do is clear up some 'flu, which we've had about the place over the last eight days."
Ferguson revealed that the weather-enforced postponement of last weekend's meeting with title rivals Chelsea was a blessing in disguise.
"On Sunday we wouldn't have had Vidic or Anderson, which was interesting," he said.
"Carrick and Nani have been down with it ('flu), but hopefully they'll be ready for Sunday (Boxing Day). They're all training now."
