Edwin Van der Sar says this season may be his last at Old Trafford.
He will start the season as number one, but will face stiff competition when Ben Foster is fit.
Van der Sar has, to be fair to him, been very self critical of his form last season, and accepts there is room for improvement this term.
Are United fans happy with him as first-choice keeper?
Or in the midst of the welter of top summer signings, should a goalkeeper have been included somewhere?
2007-07-25 12:57:58 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football ➔ English Football
I think Van Der Sar will have to watch out more for Tomasz Kuszczak if anything. Ben Foster is coming off major surgery and I don't see him making a big impact for the squad this season. I hope he proves me wrong, but Kuszczak is not a bad keeper himself. Van Der Sar would drive me crazy with those silly parries for the goal poachers!
GLORY, GLORY MAN UNITED!
2007-07-25 20:09:05 · answer #1 · answered by nickhex81 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think a new goalkeeper should have been included as there is already a very capable replacement there in Ben Foster.
As regards Van der Saar's first team place, no I don't think that is in doubt. He is an enormously experienced goalkeeper who has achieved many things at club level. He was crucial last season during United's highly successful campaign in conquering the Chelsea millions - look at his saves in the games against Fulham and Liverpool in successive weeks, and you will see why.
Okay, so his form at the end was a little sketchy, but form is temporary, class is permanent. A fe seasons ago, David Seaman's form for Arsenal was a bit sketchy, but he kept his place and ended up winning the double. There is always room for improvement, but Van der Saar is still a very safe pair of hands.
2007-07-26 06:32:13 · answer #2 · answered by The Global Geezer 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He is a great person and still a valuable keeper and member of United. Its going to be sad when he goes, but he is realistic and knows he is ageing. No one can do it forever. However knowing that SAF will not stand for continual bad form, it may drive Edwin on to give a final season at United that he and we will remember. Foster is going to be a fantastic asset to United , though I think unless VDS mucks up big time, Foster will mostly be #2 . Experience can't be overlooked either, and VDS has plenty. He had a rough time last season with major injuries to his defencive line and was put in 1 on 1 situations far too often during that time. Wish him well though and hope he has a great season.
2007-07-25 15:04:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
He is an outstanding goalkeeper and has been his entire career, but by his own admission he is letting mistakes creep into his game. Ben Foster is a brilliant keeper, and I see him as England no. 1 in the near future, ahead of the error-prone Paul Robinson and David James. I think he will break into the Man U first team next season, which is perhaps not such good news for other teams in the league but is good news for England fans, as he will hopefully get the call-up his ability merits.
2007-07-25 13:08:01 · answer #4 · answered by Steven M 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Yes he should fear for his place. He made a few mistakes towards the end of last season and I reckon Fergie will drop him as soon as he makes just one mistake this season, to be replaced by Koozac (don't know the spelling). It's still too early for Ben Foster but with a long season ahead I can see him getting his chance towards the end.
2007-07-26 04:43:38 · answer #5 · answered by ANDY T 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
im a dedicated united fan, and i think van der sar wont be fearin 4 his place so early in the season. why? ferguson willl give him at least until mid october to prove himself, and if he is inconsistent, then kuszack and foster will be pushing through. in answer to your last question, we have good quality to last the season. kuszack had some really good performances last season, namely his penalty save against arsenal. ben foster played really well on loan at watford last season, puling off some tremendous saves, and with united's back four in front of him, i think he will really perform and become one of the best keepers in the land.
2007-07-27 08:25:16 · answer #6 · answered by north_south_united 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Van de Sar has got experience Ben Foster hasn't and if you look at the goals scored against ben foster it was all down to his defense being stupid like the goal kaka scored and the Didier Drogba goal the defense did not even do anything but let us look back to long range shots he has stopped them 90% of the time.
2007-07-26 00:34:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
He shouldn't fear for his place because Sir Alex knows a top quality Goal Keeper when he sees one
and plus Sir Alex has a thing about not replacing the old players until he really needs to
that is why Neville,Scholes,Giggs and solksear are still in the top line up
so he still has a few seasons left
2007-07-26 00:07:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, I know his performances are not as good as they used to be, but he was good, if not better. I think he will be challenged his place by Ben Foster (when he's healthy) due to his not-so-young age, but if I were to choose between Van der Saar and Foster, I would choose Van der Saar for another two years. I still remember how good Van der Saar was in 1998 France World Cup.
2007-07-25 17:05:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
yup he should, foster is young & had a great year at watford, but it will take at least 2 years, to make number 1 at united. has van der, isnt gettin younger, sir alex does seem to let the older players go!!
2007-07-25 13:48:28 · answer #10 · answered by Michael J Smith 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋