Edwin van der Sar wants no more mistakes as Manchester United play catch-up to Chelsea in the league.
Keeper wants no more slip-ups as Red Devils chase Chelsea
Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar wants no more mistakes as the Red Devils play catch-up to Chelsea in the league.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side currently sit five points off the Blues, despite an unbeaten start to the campaign.
The Red Devils have notched up five draws in that run, including letting leads slip late on at Fulham, Everton and at home to West Brom.
Van der Sar, who himself made an uncharacteristic blunder which gifted the Baggies the equaliser in the 2-2 draw last month, said: "We know we made some mistakes and conceded some sloppy goals in the league, which has cost us some points.
"We have to make sure we don't do it anymore and make up for what we lost.
"Results have started to improve but I don't see it as proving something to our critics. It is more a case of proving things to ourselves.
Yourself
"You always have to take a look at yourself first. If you play 100% then you can't do anything else. Then, you can try to stimulate your team-mates to do the same."
After the Baggies' blunder, Van der Sar has subsequently kept two clean sheets as United have gone on to record five wins on the bounce.
The Dutchman added: "The weekend after the West Brom game was hard. But it has happened and it is over.
"It is the same philosophy as not dwelling on the saves you make. You can't let those things go through your head either."
Birthday celebrations
Meanwhile, the veteran keeper is happy to put his 40th birthday party celebrations on hold to help the Red Devils.
Playing commitments have meant Van der Sar has not been able to organise a big celebration after passing the landmark age last week.
At the time, he was with the United squad at their city centre base ahead of the Premier League win over Tottenham and it is the same story this weekend as the Red Devils prepare to tackle Wolves at Old Trafford.
Since they had a trip to Turkey in midweek and next Wednesday face Manchester City in the derby at Eastlands, Van der Sar has put all celebratory thoughts on hold, although he may get the chance in the international break later this month after retiring from playing for Holland back in 2008.
He added: "I celebrated my birthday in the Lowry the day before the Tottenham game. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.
"I did have a quiet meal in town on Saturday night with some friends from Holland but I had two glasses of wine and that was about it because we had a game on Tuesday.
"Even this weekend, it is going to be hard because we have a midweek game against City. I will just have to skip the celebrations for my 40th and do it another time."
