Edwin van der Sar: Manchester United Must Improve Defensively

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Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is urging his team-mates not to let defensive lapses of concentration cost them in their quest for silverware this season.

The Red Devils have seen their lead at the top of the Premier League cut to just one point in recent weeks following defeats to Liverpool [4-1] and Fulham [2-0].

They almost missed out on a crucial three points at home to Aston Villa on Sunday after conceding another two goals, although they eventually won 3-2.

United were expected to progress to the semi-final of the Champions League after drawing Porto in the quarter-final, but the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening has put the Dragoes in the driving seat going into the second leg with an away-goal advantage.

The former Dutch international believes it would be a great shame if United do not achieve their objectives this year because of mistakes which can easily be avoided.

"It is not that they are great goals from the opposition," Van der Sar is quoted as saying by UEFA.com.

"We have to sort it out and start focusing. We have been successful for a long time this season and we have to make sure we get back to that.

"If you look at the last four games obviously we haven't played as we were doing in the games before that. We need to recover that mentality.

"I don't think it is a lack of confidence. We've played a lot of games and have a few players injured and when you come to this stage you need to have all your best players ready."

Van der Sar remains hopeful that United can travel to the Estadio do Dragao and do what is required to progress to the Champions League semi-final.

"They [Porto] have some quality – you have to expect this when you get to the quarter-final – and they had some chances.

"We need to do better and we've spoken a lot about it. We have a difficult job to do now; no English team has ever won there which is a big challenge.