Manchester United star backs team to win the league
Edwin van der Sar has challenged Manchester United to go on another winning run.
After eight successive victories, the Red Devils were brought crashing back to earth on Saturday when only an injury-time Anton Ferdinand own goal allowed them to grab a point from a dismal display against Sunderland.
Given it took an even later Michael Owen strike for them to gain victory over a Manchester City side they led on three separate occasions and United were unconvincing in beating Arsenal, critics are lining up to condemn Sir Alex Ferguson's team even though they lie second in the table behind Chelsea.
However, a clearer picture will emerge after the current international break.
The month that follows features trips to Liverpool and Chelsea, plus a Champions League double-header with dark-horses CSKA Moscow that could allow the Red Devils to secure a knock-out berth with two matches to spare.
Little wonder, therefore, Van der Sar is demanding United hit winning form again when they resume against Bolton at Old Trafford on October 17.
"It was disappointing to drop points against Sunderland," he told MUTV.
"It is always nice if you can go away for the internationals with three points.
"Now we have to get a run going without losing any more.
"For the lads who have not gone away, there is plenty of hard work before then, and we will also have to see how everyone comes back.
"But we have to get back to business, forget about the draw at the weekend and start getting positive results again."
Almost certainly, Van der Sar will be back in the United goal for the visit of Gary Megson's men.
The veteran Dutchman has been out of action since breaking a couple of fingers in a pre-season encounter with Bayern Munich in July.
However, Ferguson has previously offered encouraging reports of the 39-year-old's recovery and he completed a successful return to action in last night's reserve team triumph over Everton at Widnes.
"I will be ready for Bolton," he said.
"I feel good and I haven't had any reaction. The match is still 10 days away so I have more training to do, then I will be ready for my start of the season.
"It is never nice to watch from the sidelines. It is a lot harder being injured than when you are playing every game that's for sure.
"You want to play as many games and see as much action as possible."
Van der Sar's return is likely to mean a period in exile for Ben Foster.
After showing plenty of faith in the former Stoke keeper after his dismal performance in last month's Manchester derby, Ferguson knows Foster was also to blame for Sunderland's second goal at Old Trafford.
While Kenwyne Jones' strength is a big asset and the ball Foster was coming to catch was not at the easiest height for a goalkeeper, it is hard to imagine either Van der Sar or a fearless character such as Peter Schmeichel being brushed aside so easily.
And given points are now becoming so important as the title battle hots up, with Manchester City and Arsenal looking like presenting the biggest threats to the United-Chelsea duel that Michael Ballack has predicted, Ferguson cannot afford to take needless risks.
And, for Van der Sar, that will offer another chance to test himself at the highest level, having cast doubt on the general assumption he will retire in the summer.
Meanwhile, another even longer-term injury absentee, Owen Hargreaves, is desperate to run out at Old Trafford again.
The England midfielder is now inching towards a full recovery from tendinitis operations on both knees.
Hargreaves has been sidelined for more than a year. However, now he is back at Carrington and about to embark on work with the ball.
Providing there are no complications, the Calgary-born star could be back in action early next month.
"I can't wait to get back involved in it all," he told www.manutd.com.
"I can't wait to play again for United, to be able to pull on the shirt and have an effect on games.
"Running out at Old Trafford will be a big thing for me. It will be amazing."
