Edwin van der Sar thinks it is a good time to come up against Manchester United. The Fulham goalkeeper played at Old Trafford last October when his side won 3-1 and he fancies their chances of completing a rare Premiership double.

They meet at Loftus Road in the league tomorrow and at United in an FA Cup quarter-final the following week and the Dutchman thinks his team’s timing could not be better. United have stumbled in the Premiership and the Champions League this month and they are looking vulnerable at the back.

On Wednesday, they were unconvincing in a 2-1 defeat at Porto and Sir Alex Ferguson will have more problems in defence tomorrow when Gary Neville is suspended.

United are already missing Mikael Silvestre, because of an ankle injury, and Rio Ferdinand, who is banned because of a missed drugs test. John O’Shea or even Roy Keane may be asked to step in.

Van der Sar said: “I think most of the Fulham players saw United play in the Champions’ League this week, so perhaps we should try to play a bit like Porto.

“They played well and showed up some weaknesses in the United team in certain areas. They are still a quality team but everybody goes through a period where things don’t always go exactly right. Perhaps we can take advantage of that.”