Death Or Glory! EVDS vs Ben Foster …
Will Edwin Van Der Sar fight Ben Foster’s coronation as United’s number one goalkeeper next season?
Foster is cock-a-hoop after winning a new bumper contract from United and becoming a serious rival to Paul Robinson as England’s stopper. Foster is expected to return to Old Trafford next season after a successful loan period at Watford and has set his heart on replacing the Dutchman between the sticks.
“It’s going to be a difficult time getting him out of the way,” Foster said. “Getting into the United team and getting past Van der Sar would be a massive achievement. Being Manchester United’s No 1, everyone would expect you to be England’s first choice as well.”
However, just when it seemed that Ben Foster’s succession was assured, Edwin Van Der Sar has perhaps signalled that he intends to spoil the party.
Thirty-seven year old Van Der Sar has yet to comment publicly on the threat Foster poses to his position. However, as if to prove that actions speak louder than words, he has made himself available for Holland’s midweek Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovenia.
The significance of the Dutchman’s decision should not be underestimated. Van Der Sar has only just recovered from a leg injury which made him unavailable for United. His bad luck with injuries this term was in evidence again when he spent weeks on the sidelines after suffering a broken nose during the game with Spurs.
Van Der Sar could easily have sat out the Slovenia match, a game the Netherlands should win at a canter. With blood and thunder matches to come at home and abroad, EVDS could have benefitted from the extra rest. His availability for selection however, suggests a player hungry to return to the fray.
Van Der Sar seemed ready to end his international career after the World Cup last year. He was persuaded to continue, indicating that he now sees the Euro 2008 championships as the occasion for his retirement from international competition, giving him every incentive to maintain his form with United.
If this proves true, it can only be to Sir Alex’s and United’s advantage. In the rush to crown Foster as United’s Iker Casillas, it has been forgotten just how long the manager struggled to find a keeper with the reliability and authority of the great Peter Schmeichel. Many were called, among them a World Cup winner but none succeeded like the quiet, unassuming Dutch master.
Foster has youth on his side. He has skills which have made good judges like Arsene Wenger and Peter Shilton purr in admiration. But performing heroics for a team certain to be relegated is not the same as playing for United. Keeping goal for a top team might leave a player with almost nothing to do for 85 minutes of the match. However, when called upon, the goalkeeper must demonstrate concentration and composure or risk ridicule. Foster may well have such attributes but showed inexperience earlier this month in conceding a goal from Robinson’s pitch-length kick which bounced over his head at Spurs.
In EVDS, United have a top class and tested keeper who is still some way from the knacker’s yard. He has been a model professional since joining the club and as such, should not be so easily cast aside. Ben Foster speaks of becoming United’s number one next season. He may just find the Dutch old stager unwilling to go quietly. AU
© Copyright: Absolutely United 2007
