Edwin van der Sar has been forced to withdraw from the Holland squad ahead of their Euro 2008 qualifiers against Romania and Slovenia.

The goalkeeper has missed Manchester United's last two matches with a toe injury and has continued to be bothered by the problem in training this week.

Michael Carrick says United's solid backline has provided the perfect platform on which to build this season's title challenge.

Rio and co. currently hold the best defensive record in the country, with just two goals conceded, and Carrick believes it will stand the Reds in good stead over the course of the campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson is sweating on the fitness of Owen Hargreaves, Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown as the Old Trafford boss looks to make it two wins from two in Europe this season.

Nemanja Vidic has saluted Manchester United's two goalkeepers.

"Edwin gives us a lot of confidence at the back so it's never good to lose him," Vidic told MUTV.

"But Tomasz did very well in the second half at Birmingham. He's a good goalkeeper and we weren't worried when he came off the bench."

Cristiano Ronaldo struck five minutes after half-time to give Manchester United victory at Birmingham and move them second in the Premier League.

United lost keeper Edwin van der Sar through injury at half-time and had to survive a spirited Birmingham display.

Sir Alex Ferguson has conceded that he was reliant on two outstanding saves from Edwin van der Sar from Leidson and Tonel to ensure only a third triumph in 15 Champions League away games.

"Edwin has been with us for three seasons now and when I bought him I thought he was going to be one of my best buys," said Ferguson.

Edwin van der Sar admitted to Holland’s luck after Ruud van Nistelrooy grabbed a stoppage time goal to secure a 1-0 win over Albania in Group G.

He said: "We won in the final minute - we all worked very hard"

Manchester United managed to break down a stubborn Sunderland to record a second successive 1-0 victory.

Roy Keane, on his return to Old Trafford, had his Sunderland side organised and solid but on 70 minutes the deadlock was finally broken by French striker Louis Saha.

United winger Nani whipped in a corner and the powerful striker got himself in front of Craig Gordon to head home.