Fulham goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar doesn’t fear Ruud van Nistelrooy or anybody else as the Dutch international prepares for the Whites’ opening Premiership fixture at Manchester United.

Jean Tigana’s side could hardly have been handed a tougher baptism of fire on their return to the top flight after 33 years in the wilderness – but van der Sar, a surprise £7m signing from Ajax earlier this summer, is relishing the opportunity of facing his international team-mate at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

He told the Evening Standard that he believes the former PSV forward in his fine form – as demonstrated during the Dutch win over England at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night:

“He is in very good form and good shape and it will be hard to play against him. It is not good for the game on Sunday that he is looking so sharp but he did that for Holland and I was very pleased for him. I expect there will be a lot of shots to deal with at Old Trafford but, of course, Fulham are not the favourites.

I know Van Nistelrooy well because we have both been with the national team for the last two years. He is a nice guy with great potential in front of goal. He is really good and we see that all the time in training, but when I come up against him we come off about equal. He scores some past me but I save my fair share too. I do not fear him or anybody else.”

van der Sar will make his Premiership debut having kept a clean sheet against England – and the ex-Ajax goalkeeper believes that will give him confidence ahead of the trip to Manchester.

I was happy with my own form. I made some nice saves and it was good for my self-confidence. It was the first big game in this country since I have come to play here and it is good to have a good memory.