Van Der Sar dreaming of another medal

Veteran goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar can scarcely believe he is on the verge of becoming a two-time Champions League winner.

Manchester United's formidable keeper is daring to dream again after helping Ajax become kings of Europe in 1995.

The Dutch side came within a whisker of regaining their crown the following year but Van der Sar had to settle for a loser's medal as they lost to Juventus on penalties.

He later moved to the Italian giants before joining Fulham and then United in June 2005.

At 37 Van der Sar is savouring every moment as the team chase a glorious double of league and Champions League.

United booked their place in the final in Moscow thanks to a 1-0 aggregate victory against Barcelona and the Dutchman said: 'You remember 13 years ago you won it and 12 years ago you lost it.

'It has been a long time in between and it is a great feeling to go to the final again and try to win it for a second time.

'We knew we had to perform against Barcelona to go through. We achieved that and are delighted.'

Van der Sar claimed United gave the perfect response to the those who had doubted them after the controversial defeat by title rivals Chelsea at the weekend.

He said: 'The quality of the team is its strength and that includes mental strength.

'The players and the management team have a lot of character. You have to go from game to game and from strength to strength. That is how it is at this club.

'We have a lot of individual quality in the team but being a team is also important. We worked extremely hard together as Barcelona are not a bad team.

'They have not done brilliantly in the league but against us they really performed. It was hard work but we got a great result.'

United saw off Barcelona thanks to a superb defensive display and a magnificent winner from the evergreen Paul Scholes.

Van der Sar added: 'I was pleased to keep two clean sheets against them because we always know we have a goal in us.

'Scholesy was brilliant in training before the game. We know he is always capable of scoring and is a great player.'