Second choice 'keeper for '09/10?

[Because I'm DC]

Originally Posted by The Sun
EDWIN VAN DER SAR will hang up his gloves at the end of next season.
Manchester United's veteran keeper, 38, has discussed his plans with friends and family and will break the news to Alex Ferguson when he returns to pre-season training.
England squad man Ben Foster, 26, is now finally set to get the chance to shine.
A United source said: "Edwin has reviewed his options after each season and thinks this could be his last year.
"He is determined to go out at the top and is raring to go next season."

Edwin set to call it a day | The Sun |Sport|Football

***

While they don't have any factual evidence to suggest this other than a 'United source', in all probability he will call it a day in a year's time, which leaves us with that exact amount of time to establish a future 'keeper and prepare him.

I rate Foster over Kuszczack. I wouldn't have said that two years ago, but a couple of good performances from Foster have swayed me, so I'm going for him out of the two we have at the club. Kuszczack is a good shot-stopper, but his decision making is suspect at times, and he lacks composure. Plus, I'd like to see Foster be England's future number one.

If we were to sign another keeper and have him play under VDS until he retires, I really don't know where we'd look. There's a couple of 'keepers that have been linked to us this season, but aside from Cassilas, none of them have caught my eye - mainly through ignorance, admittedly.

Whoever it is, I'd like to see them play, at the least, all (Carling and FA) cup games.

This isn't another 'Foster vs. Kuszczack' debate btw, but that's a sub-topic of the thread...

[Lambarge16]

I remember watching the united-madrid match when Cassilas was making his champions league debut at O.T, they beat us 2-3 but Casillas was outstanding at such a young age! I feel this season we start with foster and not VDS. Foster needs a run of games and if mistakes happen stick with him!! we know he's good enough he's shown his quality for club and for country! Kuszczack and Foster fight it out week in week out for a game in the reserves as well, they need regular matches just like an outfield player! the future is with youth..... give foster his chance and stick with him, we'll have Englands number one at the end of it!!!!

[RichardsReds]

Foster hopefully will get more games this season. He needs to develop, for club and country.

[RedForceRising]

I fancy Foster to be the chief custodian, which would make VDS the second choice keeper.

For various reasons I think Foder will get more games than VDS this coming season.

[reddwarf]

Foster. He has the potential to be Englands number 1 and needs the chance to be able to show that.

[mushy]

I fancy Foster to be the chief custodian, which would make VDS the second choice keeper.

For various reasons I think Foder will get more games than VDS this coming season.

i'm with you on that one foster is long over the number one shirt

[united forever]

Foster definetly should be our second choice keeper this season . I still fancy vds to play in the big games but i think foster will play more games than last season and hopefully show that he's good enough to become our no 1 .

[Stephen]

Give Foster more games.

Don't think he'll ever be number 1 for both club and coutnry because he is too injury-prone.

[daveskimufc]

dont get me wrong VDS is a fantastic goal keeper. but in the bigger games of the season he goes missing. he should have got to eto'o's goal in the CL final and vs liverpool, arsenal and chelsea he was spilling a lot of balls, and didnt look full of confidence

foster for number 1 nxt season, VDS number 2

[manutd004]

Foster would be my no. 1 for next season. VDS isn't getting any younger, and I think it's time for someone else to take over.

[maco]

Foster i really hate Kuszack i think he could make mistakes in the big games..

[canto]

Foster should be number one next year IMO but the thing about him is he seems injury prone to me so thats what hampers his chances he seems to get at least two big injuries a season which at a club our size you can't really afford your number one to be out injured for say a month if not longer twice a season!

So for that reason i think VDS will be first choice but Foster will come in and get more games then he did last season and will be our number one the season after next if we don't bring in somebody else and let him be number two again which i think is a realistic option again because of his injury problems

[Nigel'sChin]

Foster should be number one next year IMO but the thing about him is he seems injury prone to me so thats what hampers his chances he seems to get at least two big injuries a season which at a club our size you can't really afford your number one to be out injured for say a month if not longer twice a season!

So for that reason i think VDS will be first choice but Foster will come in and get more games then he did last season and will be our number one the season after next if we don't bring in somebody else and let him be number two again which i think is a realistic option again because of his injury problems

Foster wont want to be 2nd choice after VDS retires. he would leave if that happened.

[canto]

Foster wont want to be 2nd choice after VDS retires. he would leave if that happened.

If he doesn't get over his injury troubles so be it.Could be harsh but we can't have a number one that is injury prone

[Nigel'sChin]

If he doesn't get over his injury troubles so be it.Could be harsh but we can't have a number one that is injury prone

true, but so far he has had only 1 major injury didnt he? the rest werent as serious.

plus he hasnt had any recurrence of injuries before.

[UnitedBark]

Foster should be given more time. I am a bit suspect about his potential as our #1 but he deserves the chance to prove it

[antdevil78]

put some of our 80-100m to good use and sign a like-for-like replacement. German U21 keeper looked one to keep an eye on.

[Carlo]

I'm not in agreement about calling Foster injury prone. As Nigel said he's only had one main injury which was his Cruciate Ligament, which since his surgery has had no problems with it. His other injuries were a twisted ankle, a broken finger and had to have surgery on his thumb. Jees I do more damage than that on a Saturday night!!
Foster defo for no.1 but I think we should be looking for a young keeper right now. Igor Akinfeev I have seen play a couple of times and he looks good. I saw him when he replaced the Russian Goaly due to injury and for a young lad he looks pretty confident. We were also linked with Yohann Pele, I haven't personally seen him play but he sounds the business, 6'5 or something like that and pretty good by all accounts, also in his mid 20's now which is a good age to be buying a keeper.
VDS will still be around for another season but I see his duties becoming less and less towards then end of the season, I would be happy hearing the news that he has completed his badges and becomes our goalkeeping coach at the end of the season, although I don't know what he plans to do yet.
We should definatley get rid of 'Kompare The Meerkat', he's a liability and why we got him in the first place I'll never know, if we can't sell him then loan him out with an option to buy. But I do think that if we have some spare cash in the war chest then maybe look into getting someone in this season but next season at the very latest.

[Jazz 16]

Foster will probably get 12-18 games next season anyway, so we will be able to gauge him better then.
If he is up to scratch then he will be our No.1 when VDS retires. If he isn't then we go shopping.

[TheManc]

Fergie last season said that this season we will play it much more fairly.

VDS will start as number 1 but unlike in previous years if he goes a few games without playing well then it's Foster's position to lose.

I really don't rate PIG, so I'm not including him.