The veteran Dutchman made his debut for the campaign against Bolton, making a vital late save from Gary Cahill to ensure United scraped three points from a 2-1 win against Bolton that puts them back on top of the Premier League.

His assurance at the back was in marked contrast to some nervy displays from Ben Foster, who over the past two months did little to convince he can oust Van der Sar from Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up.

At 38, the former Holland captain knows he cannot carry on forever.

But Ferguson would love to keep him at Old Trafford for another year, a decision that will probably be made at the end of December.

Van der Sar is certainly in no rush to make firm plans. For now he just wants to enjoy the pleasure of being involved again.

"My main aim has been to get fit," he said.

"I had an operation on my fingers in the summer and it took a while before I could even catch a ball again.

"The moment you are able to get out and start training again is like a release. That is the thing you like to do most.

"It has been hard not having that, which is why I am not looking any further ahead than playing and enjoying myself."

Ferguson will be relying on Van der Sar's experience this week, with United facing a testing Champions League away trip to CSKA Moscow followed by the annual blockbuster with Liverpool at Anfield, a game Rafael Benitez's side must win following their beach-ball nightmare at Sunderland that leaves their title dreams on the brink of going pop.

Before that, Ferguson will find out whether he will be charged over his ill-judged comments about Alan Wiley two weeks ago.

Despite Ferguson's apology, which was followed up by further contrite comments in his programme notes yesterday, it is impossible to believe such a damning assessment of Wiley's fitness - including a claim he took longer than required to book players because he needed a rest - will not warrant direct action from the FA, which will involve either a heavy fine or a touchline ban.

Not that Van der Sar will be getting too flustered.

He is more bothered about rediscovering the defensive solidity that brought United a Premier League record 14 successive clean sheets last season.

In contrast, the Red Devils have only managed three this term, with Ferguson admitting Rio Ferdinand is in his worst run of form since arriving at Old Trafford in 2002.

There were signs of improvement yesterday, with Van der Sar confident Ferdinand will soon rediscover top form.

"Rio is a strong character and an excellent player," Van der Sar said.

"Of course sometimes you go through a bad patch. But I know for sure it won't affect him.

"As a defensive unit we have to make sure we get the understanding back from last year. Then we will be solid at the back again."

It looked for a long time that Van der Sar's return would coincide with another clean sheet.

Zat Knight's fifth-minute own goal and Antonio Valencia's first since a £17million summer move from Wigan were scant reward for United's dominance in the opening hour.

But a combination of their own profligacy and Jussi Jaaskelainen's excellent goalkeeping kept Bolton within touching distance.

Matt Taylor's header was the prelude to a nerve-jangling last 15 minutes which ultimately, United were fortunate to survive.

Nevertheless, with Chelsea and Liverpool both losing, it represented a decent weekend in what shapes up to be a very intriguing campaign as United go for an unprecedented four titles in a row.

"It is important to get three points when the other teams drop them. It makes a difference," said Van der Sar.

"It is going to be tough for everyone this season. We didn't play well against Sunderland a couple of weeks ago but at least we managed to get a draw.

"All we can do is keep going. We are top now and we have to try to make the gap as big as possible."