Goal understands the Spaniard has told the Red Devils that he wishes to join Real Madrid after failing to agree a new contract with Louis van Gaal's side.
And Van der Sar, who spent six seasons with United before retiring in 2011, believes the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper would have agreed a new deal by now if he wanted to stay with the 20-time English champions.
"He had some difficulties in his first year and in his second year he came on well and in the third and fourth he really progressed immensely," he told reporters.
"Of course, I don't know the candidates to replace him if he's going to leave the club. There's been a lot of talk lately, and if he wanted to stay, he probably would have signed a new contract by now.
"At the start of the season you start with 11 players. Some things work out and other things you get a different type, so nobody is irreplaceable, that's always the case.
"You always start the season with 11 players on the pitch and sometimes you need a little bit of adjustment or to take some time to see how the Premier League works and the different type of football.
"I'm sure United, if David is going to leave, they are going to find a good successor.
"David has immense reflexes and is also good at coming out for corners. He has improved a lot there.
"Louis also likes a goalkeeper who can play with his feet also and just behind the defence. Victor Valdes has also played like that at Barcelona for a while, or maybe they are looking for a different player."
One man tipped to replace De Gea should he leave the club is Ajax's Jasper Cillesen, who worked with Van Gaal during the veteran coach's time with the Netherlands.
And Van der Sar, who is now on the board of directors at the Amsterdam ArenA, feels the 26-year-old is of a similar quality to De Gea, though he is hopeful the Dutch side will be able to keep hold of him this summer.
"I hope United aren't getting him! Luckily I have some influence on that part, being on the board of Ajax.
"But of course, Jasper is a fantastic goalkeeper. In the winter break I went to Qatar for a week and I trained with the goalkeepers there, and had a session with them. He has improved immensely.
"He played great for the national team in the World Cup and is, like David here, a very reliable goalkeeper for us in Amsterdam. We would like to keep him for a while."
Source---http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4102/transfer-zone/2015/06/14/12713002/de-gea-is-not-irreplaceable-van-der-sar
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