Van der Sar given leave

December 29, 2009

EDWIN van der Sar has been placed on indefinite compassionate leave by Manchester United after his wife suffered a brain haemorrhage, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed.

The 39-year-old goalkeeper, who has been absent since last month’s win over Everton with a knee injury, had been given permission to return to Holland over the festive period and receive treatment from the Holland team doctor.

But his 36-year-old wife Annemarie van Kesteren collapsed last Wednesday as Van der Sar and his young family were preparing to celebrate Christmas and the Holland international has been granted permission to stay away from Manchester.

Ferguson said: “Annemarie had a problem over in Holland a week ago and has been admitted to hospital. That is the best place for her to be. They have examined her twice and are trying to get to the root of it.

“I have told Edwin to stay over there. There is no point in him being here. The best thing is for him to be with his wife. Hopefully she will make a good recovery.”

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Gilly, Belgium (29/12/2009 at 09:23)

Omg, thats not very good at all ! poor young lady , get better soon
thoughts are with Edwin and his family ........

neil youngs left foot (29/12/2009 at 09:31)

All our prayers and thoughts are with Edwin and his family.

Mrs Fullaway's lodger, Govan (29/12/2009 at 10:06)

Hope she recovers soon and completely. Our thoughts are with Edwin and Annemarie.

mancitypj, Denton (29/12/2009 at 10:08)

To Edwin and his family, I know I will be speaking for all City fans, our thoughts are with you and your family at this very sad time. Sometimes things are more important than football!

Bill Wirral (29/12/2009 at 10:08)

Our best wishes thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Edwin particularly of course to Annemarie.

glad to be blue, halifax (29/12/2009 at 11:02)

i do hope edwins wife recovers ok,yes i am a blue and enjoy the banter,but at time like this it puts into prospective the really important thigs in life.get well soon

the fox, fox hole (29/12/2009 at 11:12)

get well soon annemarie.

the fox.

Joseph Mifsud (29/12/2009 at 11:13)

i am shocked today when we saw the news poor young lady we pray for him & for ther family joe siggiewi malta.

Bert is my hero, Cheshire! (29/12/2009 at 11:22)

Very sad news. Every best wish from football fans on all sides of the city.

Bfast Red, Belfast (29/12/2009 at 11:40)

Not good news at all, and in one so young it is tragic for the family. I have personal experience of this as my own mother died of a brain haemorrhage some years ago but medical science has moved on since then and hopefully will give her a much better chance of survival and recovery. All our thoughts and prayers should with Edwin and his children and he should be given all the time he needs to be with his wife and family, football becomes secondary in the circumstances.
I can see this having an effect on his decision to retire or not, and rightly so,

wayneold, manc (29/12/2009 at 11:45)

Family is more important than football!

Im sure all football fans, not just us, wish Annmarie a full speedy recovery!

Lou Macari's Fish and Chippie (29/12/2009 at 11:47)

Very sad news, lets all hope she makes a speedy and full recovery.

Horace Hughes, Salford (29/12/2009 at 11:59)

Sad news and my best regards to Edwin and his family. This will probably end his career now.

roykeane, i always wanted to play for city (not!) (29/12/2009 at 12:02)

get well soon dutchie !

Greetz!

The Insider, CTID. (29/12/2009 at 12:11)

All the best Edwin, hope you wife makes a full recovery !!! CTID BELIEVE

2OLEGEND, Lancaster (29/12/2009 at 12:16)

its things like that which put football into perspective. Hope she gets well soon edwin.

stocky blue, stockport (29/12/2009 at 12:24)

Hope i speak for all blues when i say our thoughts and best wishes go out to Edwin and his family at this difficult time and that Annemarie makes a full and speedy recovery.

Drago 34 (29/12/2009 at 12:25)

Get well soon Annemarie.As other people have said something's are more important than football.My thought's and prayers are with you Edwin and your children.

Peter Beagrie`s beagle (29/12/2009 at 12:30)

I wish to join all other City fans who have posted on this, as well as all United fans, in wishing Annemarie a full and speedy recovery, my thoughts are with Edwin and his family.

jordy, Middleton (29/12/2009 at 12:35)

Get well soon ,Annemarie.

mancini is the man (29/12/2009 at 12:35)

I HOPE SHE GETS WELL SOON AND MAKES A FULL RECOVERY... BEST WISHES FROM ALL MAN CITY FANS EDWIN

Britt/Canada (29/12/2009 at 12:39)

Here's to your wife's full & speedy recovery,may the new year bring health & happiness to your family & yourself Edwin.

Lou Trevor, Barcelona (29/12/2009 at 12:44)

That's really sad news. Wish Annemarie a full recovery and hope that Edwin and his family will cope this situation the best they can. Bad times for Annemarie and our goallie.
Thanks to all City fans who posted here their sympathy messages. Football is greatness and in those situation, it should remain behind the personel interest. C'mon Annemarie, C'mon Edwin, you'll win the main game of your lives, there's no doubt at all!

The Truth (29/12/2009 at 12:50)

All the best to his family from all blues.

Dave Bear, Home (29/12/2009 at 12:55)

Another City fan wanting to wish well for Van der Sar and family - This is where Shankly got it wrong

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