Op shocker hits Foster

Stuart Mathieson

June 02, 2007

Ben Foster

UNITED keeper Ben Foster faces an anxious wait to discover the full seriousness of a worrying knee injury.

After a superb season with Watford, the 24-year-old, who has already won an England cap, was tipped to challenge Edwin van der Sar for the first team starting slot.

But Foster, whose heroics couldn't keep Watford in the Premiership, has undergone exploratory surgery to his right knee.

Foster's injury kept him out of last Friday's England B game against Albania at Burnley.

And it will be a crushing blow for him if, after two seasons on loan at Vicarage Road, he faces a further delay in making a Reds' first team debut.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has given his seal of approval to United's two new signings from Portugal.

Ronaldo is on holiday after a season of individual and team honours.

But he's delighted Sporting Lisbon favourite Nani and Brazilian wonderkid Anderson from Porto are on their way to Old Trafford.

"I'm really happy I will have Nani and Anderson as team-mates," said Ronaldo. "They will be very welcome at United!"

And Nani can't wait to team up again with his former Sporting colleague.

"This is a dream move," he says. "It won't be easy to get a place in the first team, but I am ready for the challenge."

Alan Smith and Louis Saha have been linked with a move to Spurs in a possible tempting swap for Bulgarian hitman Dimitar Berbatov.

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horace, Salford (02/06/2007 at 11:06)

I hope the Smith/Saha for Bergatov comes off. He would really be the icing on the cake.

Robbo, North Stand (02/06/2007 at 11:24)

"Yo Keano! Hands off Scholesy! The ginger prince ain't ready for the scrapheap/Sunderland just yet!" Ps Sorry to hear about Foster, I'd have given him a chance this season.

Roy (02/06/2007 at 12:51)

Nice idea for a two-for-one swap but I doubt Spurs would want two hefty salary bills that come with it. I saw Utd linked to a 8m goalie several weeks ago and wondered why. I still dismiss it but who knows? Let's hope it is not too serious with Foster.

daniel (02/06/2007 at 12:58)

A worry about Anderson. The South American football corrospondent of the BBC, Tim Vickery has said he will have to go on loan for a year as he won't qualify for a work permit. The criteria is a player must have featured in 75% of his international teams matches for two years prior to the application. So even a year loan won't be enough. But Vickery is admant that he won't get one. Surley a player of 19 costing nearly 20 m will get speacial dispensation. He is no cheap import , which the rule tries to protect from.

Patrick McLOUGHLIN, North Carolina, USA (02/06/2007 at 13:26)

should united get either berbatov or anelka my irish eyes would be smilin`...for the first time in many seasons l feel we will have surpassed mighty chelsea in talent..and so important young world class talent at that..yes give saha and smith and richardson their transfers..go united..

janusz, Poland (02/06/2007 at 13:41)

Foster is overratted! Kuszczak is much better on the line but he has not english passport.
The worst English players are goalkipers: Robinson, Foster, Kirkland - they all are so poor and ALWAYS OVERRATED!Looks at polish masters: Kuszczak, Boruc, Fabianski - they have class, are soilid. In Poland is only one "black sheep" -Dudek:)

Patrick McLOUGHLIN, North Carolina, USA (02/06/2007 at 13:42)

just read in the sun newspaper that west ham interested in richardson for four million...sell him to west ham and buy reo-cocker for his estimated eight million dollar tab..wow..getting reo-cocker for ONLY four million..what a deal for united...do it sir alex

redarmy, rochdale (02/06/2007 at 13:48)

i hope foster get healed soon and is ready for big things at ot.
as for saha and smith both for berbatov id say a big no chance

Chris Earnshaw, Taunton, England (02/06/2007 at 14:34)

I really hope Foster gets fit & well soon.
If he doesn't get that No1 shirt, then I think we may be in trouble. My opinion of VdS has gone down dramatically, certainly over the last few weeks of the season. He redeemed himself, somewhat, at City, but it's really difficult to ignore the obvious; he's had it!
It doesn't matter how many fantastic players we have. You don't win with a dodgy keeper.!!

This charming Manc (02/06/2007 at 14:42)

I hope Ben comes through this as i would have him in my starting 11 next season. I feel he can be our number one keeper for the next ten years. With him in net we are built on solid foundations.

Steve, Great Britain (02/06/2007 at 16:08)

I must admit I would be sorry to see either Saha or Smith go. I know Saha is very injury prone and maybe we need more from him. Smith has been a good buy for United and has shown commitment. However the thought of DB at United would be excellent and as I said we need more from Saha so maybe I would sanction it.

As for Scholes - I always thought that Bury would be his final ground but the lure of Keano is strong although as you said I dont think he is ready for the scrapheap challenge just yet.

I still cannot get over the signings of Andersona and Nani. I am sure that at the money paid for them they must be first team contenders. Would hate to see them loaned out or not given a run in the team.

Hope Heinz doesnt go would prefer to see Silvestre leave.

Looking good for next year.

Graham Ford, Madoc Ontario Canada (02/06/2007 at 17:24)

What some of you guys seem to forget is that VDS's loss of form coincided with a bashed up beak coupled with injuries to Ferdinand and Vidic. With what was left infront of him for a central defence, any keeper would have been shellshocked.

Steve, Glossop (02/06/2007 at 18:22)

What's this garbage about Scholes? There's no way he'll play for anyone else unless he buys Oldham which is an old rumour. I'd happily see Smith go less so Saha cos he's class on his day but if his hearts not in it well see ya!

Bradley (02/06/2007 at 23:31)

Daniel just to point out Obi Mikel got a visa as gifted young player, Anderson rated better than him so should be a straight forward case! On Foster, I think he'd have begun the season as No 1 as VDS had looked very edgy toward the end of last season and had cost United a few points with various errors of judgment

TMUF, Manchester (03/06/2007 at 11:16)

Danny it is true Anderson will probably will be rejected for a work permit because of those reasons you stated, but he will be able to get one on appeal... for the reasons you stated 2. He will be playing with us next season.

spencertea, Brussels (03/06/2007 at 12:04)

Bad luck if the injury is serious, however, the timing it's better than during the season. Let's hope it's not as serious as it looks like, cos i'm very hopeful that Foster will become our N°1 goallie next season.

BritInExile, Wat, Ont, Can (03/06/2007 at 15:26)

How long is he supposed to be out for, i heard the majority of the season?

Eric-Forever (03/06/2007 at 16:24)

News of the World reports today that Andersons favourite position is left back...just like his idol roberto carlos!!!! However i think he may be used as a squad player next season, giveng scholes a break. Same with nani and giggs, we'll give them a year to bed in and then let them take over from the legends!
I think we'll also see a similar situation with Foster and EVDS.
Hopefully we've seen the last of richardson.
Seems barcelona want gabby now....looks like he's going, which is a shame coz i reckon he's still the best left back in the world

red john (03/06/2007 at 20:00)

a huge pity he was clearly destined to be no 1 next season lets hope that it is only a minor injury. keep the faith ben we have!!

Red J (04/06/2007 at 13:18)

Lots of stories being covered in the comments here. Personally don't think any of the people here or missing are too much of a problem. Fantastic to be in the position where our squad is strong enough to say that!!!

I think that the start of the season team and the end of the season team will be quite different. Giggs, Scholes, Van der Saar, etc more likely to start with the others being slowly introduced. There will also be more squad rotation this year.

As for Berbatov for Saha and Smith, can't see it happening, but think it would be a great deal for us. Great for Tottenham as well, but they would surely have to get rid of Keane or Defoe.

As I understand it with the work permit situation, you apply for a work permit for a player not from Europe (Anderson) this will be approved if they have played 75% of internationals over the last 2 years. Anderson hasn't therefore will be rejected. We can then appeal, and this is where they look at "special" circumstances and he should get granted one. Nothing guaranteed, but pretty sure that it will initially get turned down, so don't hold your breath for the press stories of "Anderson will never play for Utd".

Lastly, Anderson for left back?!?!?! Really?

Steve in Brussels (04/06/2007 at 14:25)

Where Anderson will play is unknown. He has versatility which Fergie likes. Unlikely to be left-back for the most. As for the work permit scenario I have never fully understood. This statement of a non-EU player playing 75% of internationals seems to mean very little. I mean otherwise how could Arsenal have that Brazilian youngster Denilson play for them?

Mick, Dublin (04/06/2007 at 14:41)

Denilson has a Spanish passport.

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