Foster to return next season

January 29, 2007

BEN FOSTER: Goalkeeper is doing well at Watford

SIR Alex Ferguson has confirmed promising goalkeeper Ben Foster will return to Manchester United in the summer after spending a second year at Watford.

Although the 23-year-old actually signed for the Old Trafford outfit 18 months ago, he has yet to make a senior appearance for United, having been sent to Vicarage Road by Ferguson in an attempt to further his experience.

Foster has already played his way into the England squad, with Ferguson certain he will eventually gain full international honours.

And, despite handing veteran Edwin Van der Sar a one-year contract extension and spending é4million on the Dutchman's current deputy, Tomasz Kuszczak, Ferguson will welcome Foster back into the United fold once the current campaign is over.

"Without question, Ben will come back here," said Ferguson.

Talent

"All we have done in terms of the goalkeeping situation is identify really good talent and secure their future.

"We know Ben has a good future in the game. He is doing well at Watford and, at his age, has everything in front of him, because I believe him to be England's best young goalkeeper."

Premier League loan rules prevent Foster from facing United at Old Trafford on Wednesday, when Ferguson's men will look to halt the Hornets' current two-match winning streak.

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George, RHYL (29/01/2007 at 15:48)

Foster is in the limelight because he's on MOTD with Watford but Kuszcak seems the better keeper.
Kuszcak may well become a legend.

Richard, Aston (29/01/2007 at 15:55)

I think Foster is better than Kuszcak and is the one being lined up as the future number 1. I don't see why we should bring him back next season as VDS is still going to be here and be first choice. If Watford do the unthinkable and survive then Foster should be allowed to stay another season.

Sambo, At my desk (29/01/2007 at 15:55)

Are you mad? Kusczak is okay, but he's not worth 4 million and Foster is gonna be a hundred times better. My main worry is that we'll stifle that talent by making him sit on the bench in a tussle for the number one shirt. No doubt about it, Van Der Sar deserves the shirt right now and I am hoping that Foster will deputise for him on a semi-regular basis next year and not just in cup matches. I just don't want to see him get fed up of sitting on the bench of playing reserve football, cos he deserves more.

macca, cornwall (29/01/2007 at 16:01)

i think foster will stay on loan next season. he is our future number 1, i feel that kitkat was brought to be a number 2. then wen edwins contract is up we he will come back and gain the number 1 shirt

Shalala, Lusaka, Zambia (29/01/2007 at 16:36)

Sambo, At my desk - It is not true that Kuszczak is not worth 4 Mullion. I think he is a very good goalkeeper but EvS is a taller and more experienced keeper. As for next year, we can only have Forster back if we decide on experimenting once more which is not good for winning. But Chelsea have managed playing three goalkeepers.

Shalala, Lusaka, Zambia (29/01/2007 at 16:48)

Richard, Aston - It is very difficult to say Forster is better than Kuszczak but think I know is Tim Howard is excess of our needs now and seeing he still lets in the usual goal for lack of concentration, our future is Forster and Kuszczak. We need to see how Forster plays with the Man Utd defence and whether he can stand the pressure of not allowing goals easily. At Watford he has the license to allow in goals provided he puts in his usual bravado and great saves. Kuszczak seems like a very decent bloke; steady and with a presence. He can also play with his feet which is great. He dribbled two Pompey strikers!

Cathal, Ireland (29/01/2007 at 17:00)

Edwin is still in terrific shape physically. However, if we win the league this season he may want to retire and that is something that sir alex may be thinking about. Surely edwin should be retained as a goalkeeper coach. He is without doubt one of the best goalkeepers the world has seen over the past ten years or more. Imagine if we had of signed him in 99. we could have had 8 years of consistency

United4Life, Toronto (29/01/2007 at 17:27)

Goodbye Tim Howard. Thought he was good, but I don't think he's United material. Hopefully we can rip-off Everton, like we've been getting ripped off!
Any idea what Howard is worth? In all honesty, I think Foster takes it over KitKat.

mark, rochdale (29/01/2007 at 17:49)

nothing wrong with kuszack thats why hes polands no 1goal keeper????
Dont say but its poland as we had some right donkeys in our net eg david james ect ect...we should support kuszack as hes a good goal keeper.

john murray, cork (29/01/2007 at 20:05)

ben foster is by far the best young keeper in the league at this present moment. he is defo uniteds future no 1, and about time one of their goalkeeping propects finally looks half decent.

Phil, Wollaston, MA (29/01/2007 at 20:27)

so Tim Howard doesn't have a future at United it seems... but maybe Everton will be the right place for him. he is contracted to United until 2009?

jacek, leamington spa (29/01/2007 at 21:14)

Both look like excellent keepers and we're very fortunate to have them; also remember some of the ridicule aimed atSAF when he signed them.Only time will tell who will be no.1 but suspect it will be Foster probably after another years loan hopefully at another struggling side where he gets all the action.Its very difficult to learn the trade with Utd and this is Kuszczacks problem ;he only gets the odd game sees little action apart from comfortably taking a few crosses and being beaten by a deflection that sends him the wrong way. dont think he's ever let the team down.Problem is they're too good to both be on the books after next year and another keeper will have to be found to be no.2

Jeff, Watford (29/01/2007 at 21:21)

Looks like confirmation we are selling Howard doesn't it - surely his is our fouth choice keeper now ?

horace, salford (29/01/2007 at 22:12)

Foster for me. I think Fergie is right he is Englands best hope. He is up against mediocre competition, and is head and shoulders above Robinson and Green. Next season Kitkat will share No 2 spot with him and I think halfway through the season, Van der sar will make way for him or Foster. I think Van der sar is slowing down a lot, and seems to be susceptible to a long shot or free kick. Either way both goalies are young, mid twenties, and have another 10-12 years at the top.

Dean, Blackpool (30/01/2007 at 03:33)

I agree with those sayin he's the future #1 and he will probably be loaned out again next if watford don't stay up then he will probably go to another premiership club, From what iv'e seen of him he looks top class and at times he reminds me of schmeichael with his positioning especially when he comes out one on one.

Lee, Heywood (30/01/2007 at 09:51)

George I dont get your rating of Kitkat he is a poor keeper. His decision making on crosses is terrible and his distribution is ala Roy Carrol. He was signed to sit on the bench while Foster gets experience. Foster is an awesome keeper. He is huge agile commanding and has great distribution. He will be a top keeper.

Frank, Old Trafford (30/01/2007 at 10:59)

Agree with Horace except that Foster and Kusczak should be 1 & 2. If VDS had to play behind a defence of Mik and JOS or Wes on a bad day he wouldn't cope.

George, RHYL (30/01/2007 at 11:15)

Lee; I do rate Kuszcak. He was not signed "just" to sit on the bench.He was signed,to be a competent replacement should Vds pick up an injury.He's played a few cup games to keep him match sharp. If you think Kuszcak is a poor keeper...you need to improve your knowledge of goalkeeping.Foster has improved this season.He gets plenty of practice at Watford! You are right that his distribution is good.When Kuszcak plays it's one game here and there infront of 70,000+ on live TV etc.If VdS gets injured and Kuszcak has a run in the team,he'll settle into it and become No 1.That is my view at the moment.If Foster continues to progress he may take the jersey.Tim Howard and Roy Carroll are ok keepers but didn't really handle the big stage.I think Kuszcak can do that.Time will tell but it's Kuszcak for me.

Liam, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:18)

1 & 2 - You want a goalie playing right back do you? Only kidding. Kit Kat has looked OK but I think Foster will almost certainly be No 1. Fergie was quite keen to loan him out again this season so he could get the matches whereas Kit Kat was signed to sit on the bench. When we signed Kit Kat it was said it would become permanent at the end of the season so it does look like he is the long term back up.

A Mancunian, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 16:52)

Can people please stop referrring to Kusczak as Kitkat - it's so irritating! It's Kusczak!

mickey, midlands (30/01/2007 at 18:34)

van der sar, kuzsack, howard and foster...how many keepers do we need? maybe we could loan a keeper to all the other clubs in the prem league?
kuzsack cost 3 million odd - so i can't believ he was just bought to warm the bench? having said that, dong cost 3.5 mill and will we ever see him play? by the way, van anyone tell me what happened to pique?

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