Foster offered taste of Wembley trip
Ben Foster has been asked by Manchester United to be part of their
FA Cup final build-up in preparation for his return to Old
Trafford.
The 24-year-old has been loaned to Watford from United for the last
two seasons and such is his attachment to the Hornets, he did not
know who to cheer for when the teams met in the semi-final on
Saturday.
Watford were not allowed to play the England goalkeeper against his
parent club, so he was a frustrated spectator at Villa Park - but
they may not have been there at all had he not produced save after
save against Plymouth in the previous round.
Foster will be watching again at Wembley next month but United want
him involved in preparations to get him used to the atmosphere at
the club.
"I spoke to Tony Coton (United goalkeeper coach) after the game and
he said 'you will be coming with us as part of the squad' even
though I won't be involved," said Foster.
"He wants me to taste what it would be like to be involved in a cup
final and things like that which will be good for me. He wants me
to be suited and booted.
"It will be good to be there and experience it. It would have been
a bit of a bonus if I was involved but it's been a good season
anyway so I can't complain."
Foster will get the traditional cup final suit and joked that he
might gatecrash the winners' photos should United get the better of
Chelsea.
But the hard work will then start as he looks to replace Edwin van
der Sar as boss Sir Alex Ferguson's first-choice goalkeeper.
He has staked his claim with his performances for Adrian
Boothroyd's side this season and has already impressed at
international level, while Van der Sar has proved himself as a
vital part of United's title challenge.
"I was there in the summer for a couple of months but other than
that it will be like starting afresh," added Foster, who will
return to United at the end of the Premiership season.
Ferguson will inevitably be faced with the conundrum of having
England's finest young goalkeeper in his squad as well as a proven
veteran who remains a vital component of his successful
squad.
Foster even voted for Van der Sar in his PFA team of the year,
along with other star performers in United's squad such as
Cristiano Ronaldo.
"The way Ronaldo is playing is ridiculous. He is untouchable, he's
unplayable," added Foster. "They have definitely got the best
player in the world at the moment.
"The team they have got at the moment they have definitely got to
be the one of the best in Europe."
Foster, however, would not be content with being back-up to the
first team at Old Trafford and admits his England chances could
suffer if he does not edge ahead of Dutchman Van der Sar.
"Obviously it would be massively frustrating as the last two years
I have been first choice week-in week-out," he added. "But I don't
think there are any more loans.
"If I don't play it will be a case of grinding another season out,
sitting on the bench and hoping to kick-on the season after.
"All my career I have been second, third, fourth choice and I hate
it. It's horrible. It's not what I am in football to be - a
benchwarmer. I want to be out there playing to big crowds.
"You can't expect to get picked (for England) if you are not
playing week in week out."
Foster will return to action in Watford's Premiership clash against
Blackburn on Wednesday. Gareth Williams is unavailable after
suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in training last
week.
Moses Ashikodi has returned from his loan at Bradford after
sustaining a broken leg.
