Ben Foster’s pre-season got off to the worst possible
start on Saturday, but Sir Alex Ferguson has reiterated his belief
that the young goalkeeper will one day be England’s no.1.
On as a half-time substitute for Edwin van der Sar,
Foster, usually so good with the ball at his feet, gifted Amri
Yahyah an equaliser when he failed to control Darron Gibson’s
backpass.
Players’ performances in pre-season can carry real weight when the
manager comes to picking his teams for early competitive fixtures,
but Sir Alex appeared unflustered by the 26-year-old’s error.
“That was Ben’s first game for three or four months – he dislocated
a finger ligament at the end of last season and we had to operate,”
the boss said.
“I’ve said it before but, in the long-run, I think he’ll be
England’s goalkeeper. I’m absolutely certain of that.”
For that to happen, however, Foster needs to be playing regularly
for the Reds. And according to Sir Alex, there are two obstacles
currently blocking that path.
“Ben has a challenge to take the position of Edwin van der Sar,
who, as everybody accepts, is one of the greatest goalkeepers of
all time.
“We also hope and pray Ben gets a long run without an injury –
consistency will be important for the boy.”
Tomasz Kuszczak, who didn’t feature at all in Saturday’s first Asia
Tour game, is expected to start in goal against Malaysia XI on
Monday.
