SIR Alex Ferguson feels Manchester United's amazing defensive performances mean more to Edwin van der Sar than all his other honours combined.

The 38-year-old has not conceded a league goal for 1,122 minutes, stretching back 12 games to Samir Nasri's strike in Arsenal's 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium on November 8.

It has put him in line for what many feel will be a British record if he keeps West Ham out for a further 75 minutes at Upton Park.

Current record-holder Chris Woods disputes the tag, claiming Van der Sar is four games away from beating the record he achieved at Rangers as Van der Sar conceded three times against Gamba Osaka at the Club World Cup in December.

But while that argument is yet to be resolved, Ferguson can see what a dramatic effect Van der Sar's 12-game sequence without conceding is having on the Dutchman.

"The record has left Edwin revelling in a personal achievement that seems to be giving him as much pleasure as all the many honours he has won with Ajax and Juventus," said Ferguson.

"His great experience, allied to youthful enthusiasm, marks him out as a special goalkeeper."

Ferguson is not giving Van der Sar all the credit, though, as he is equally amazed by the performance of a defence that has been forced to operate at less than full capacity for the past three months.

Rio Ferdinand played his first game since United were crowned world champions in the five-goal destruction of West Brom, when Wes Brown also returned following ankle surgery.

"The defensive record is remarkable because this is the part of the team that has been most affected in recent weeks by injury," said Ferguson.

Of even more interest is Wayne Rooney's fitness.

The striker has been out since picking up a hamstring injury against Wigan, but Fabio Capello will have to decide whether to include Rooney tomorrow night in his England squad to face Spain in Seville next week.