Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has hailed Dutchman Edwin van der Sar as a 'special goalkeeper'.

He has been in the news lately after he set a clean-sheet record in the BPL and allowed United to raise to the top of the table.

The 38-year-old has not conceded in the league for 1,122 minutes, stretching back 12 games to Sami Nasri’s strike in Arsenal’s 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium on 8 November, 2008.

“[The record] has left Edwin revelling in a personal achievement that seems to be giving him as much pleasure as all the many honours he has won with Ajax and Juventus, as well as winning 123 caps with Holland,” said the boss in his Everton match programme notes.

Sir Alex feels United’s Dutch goalkeeper really is a rare breed. “It’s his great experience, allied to youthful enthusiasm, that marks him out as a very special goalkeeper."

But United's recent run without conceding in the league isn't all down to Edwin's undoubted talents. “The defensive record is remarkable because this is the part of the team that has been most affected in recent weeks by injury," adds Sir Alex. "Everyone has rallied round.”