Recently, when looking back at the day that Manchester United completed the signing of France's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, this column reflected on how difficult Sir Alex Ferguson found it to replace Peter Schmeichel between the posts.

In total, Ferguson used 10 goalkeepers between the Dane's departure in 1999 and the summer of 2005, including Barthez, who left the club in 2004 after a number of high-profile mistakes.

However, it was on this day 10 years ago that Ferguson finally secured the services of a gloveman that would go on to serve United with such distinction until his retirement in 2011.

Edwin van der Sar, who was a Champions League winner from his time with Ajax, had spent the previous four years in the Premier League with West Londoners Fulham.

His performances at Craven Cottage had captured the attention of Ferguson, who shelled out a reported £2m of United's coffers to recruit the Dutchman. In doing so, Van der Sar had become the first signing since the Glazer family had completed their controversial ownership of the Red Devils.

"I am delighted to have signed for Manchester United, one of the most famous clubs in the world. I'm looking forward to joining my new team-mates to start preparations for the new season, which promises to be one of the most exciting of my career," said the then 34-year-old upon signing his two-year contract.

Van der Sar went on to be a major calming influence on the entire United side, who would win four Premier League titles, two League Cups, one Champions League and the FIFA World Club Cup during his stint at Old Trafford.

Speaking in 2009, Ferguson said of Van der Sar: "I tried to replace Schmeichel, but that was very difficult. We went for Fabien Barthez and he did well for a while, but he then had his own situations, so we went for Edwin.

"We really should have gone for [Van der Sar] when Schmeichel left, but Martin Edwards (former chairman) had an agreement with Mark Bosnich at the time that took the wind out of our sails. So we couldn't get Edwin, but I'd have loved to have got him then.

"He is different entirely to Schmeichel and you can't compare them, but there was a certain criteria to be a goalkeeper here which involved good experience, personality and also a good track record.

"Edwin has all of those qualities. He didn't cost us a lot of money, about £2m, so he's right up there with my best signings."

Four years ago, Van der Sar called time on his career following the Champions League final - a game that United lost 3-1 to Barcelona at Wembley. Currently, he is the marketing director of his former club Ajax.