LEAD FROM THE START

Last updated : 09 July 2007 By Ed
Edwin Van der Sar is happy to be back after a well-earned summer break.

"We've been training hard for a week now and this period before the new season kicks off is crucial if we are going to have as good a start as we did last year," he told his personal website at Icons.com.

"I had a six-week break and it was nice to have a proper holiday with my family and really relax. But now it's great to be back with the lads, hearing all the banter and the stories from their vacations.

"There are some great characters at Manchester United and the spirit in the locker room is good. The first week back in pre-season is where the hard work gets done and everyone is digging in."

"We know it's going to be another tough season, but we are determined to keep the league title in Manchester. We don't want to give it up," he insisted.

"I'm not sure you can say we have specific priorities this year as we want to go out and win every game. We just aim to beat anybody we play - it's as simple as that."