Sir Alex backs Van der Sar
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Edwin Van der Sar to bounce back from his 'uncanny' error against West Brom.
The Manchester United goalkeeper was guilty of a howler in last weekend's Premier League fixture as the Red Devils surrendered a two-goal lead for the third time this season to allow the Baggies to claim a point at Old Trafford.
The uncertainly surrounding the future of Wayne Rooney will do little to help confidence on the pitch as United host Bursaspor on Wednesday.
But Ferguson has backed the veteran shot-stopper to respond positively to his mistake in their midweek UEFA Champions Leagueclash.
"The mistake was uncanny," said the United boss.
"Here is a player with 130 caps for Holland and the most fantastic career you could imagine and he makes a mistake like that.
"You cannot even criticise him because he doesn't deserve that.
"He is allowed to make one horrendous mistake in his life. It was at a time when we didn't need it, of course, but it happens.
"You just have to wash it away."
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| Team | P | W | D | L | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 21 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 52 |
| 2 | Tottenham Hotspur | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 45 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 45 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 21 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 44 |
| 5 | Manchester City | 21 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 42 |
| 6 | Man Utd | 21 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 40 |
| 7 | Everton | 21 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 33 |
| 8 | West Brom | 21 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 29 |
| 9 | Stoke City | 21 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 27 |
| 10 | Burnley | 21 | 8 | 2 | 11 | 26 |
| 11 | AFC Bournemouth | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 25 |
| 12 | West Ham | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 25 |
| 13 | Southampton | 21 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 24 |
| 14 | Watford | 21 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 23 |
| 15 | Leicester City | 21 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 21 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 21 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 20 |
| 17 | Crystal Palace | 21 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 16 |
| 18 | Hull City | 21 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 16 |
| 19 | Sunderland | 21 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 15 |
| 20 | Swansea | 21 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 15 |