[Dirtycheat]

Foster handed Reds debut

Originally Posted by Manutd.com

Ben Foster will face Derby on Saturday as injury to Edwin van der Sar and a one-match suspension for Tomasz Kuszczak force Sir Alex Ferguson into giving the promising young goalkeeper his Reds debut ahead of schedule.

Van der Sar has failed to recover from a groin strain picked up in the FA Cup defeat to Portsmouth, while Kuszczak's red card in the clash sees him sit out the trip to Pride Park.

Foster, who had been tipped to go out on loan for the rest of the season, made a successsful return to action last week for the Reserves having spent the last eight months on the sidelines recovering from knee ligament damage.

"Edwin misses the game, so it's a debut for Ben Foster," said Sir Alex. "I had planned to send him out on loan. But Edwin is injured and Tomasz Kuszczak is suspended.

"Having been out for the best part of a year and with only one reserves game behind him, it's a big challenge for Ben. But I have no fears. He will be OK. What encourages me is that he has got fantastic presence, speed and agility.

"His rehabilitation went completely as planned and he's been in full training for about a month so there are no question marks over his fitness. What we can't tell is how match sharp he is. He's only had one game. But his assets give me confidence he'll do well."

It has taken the 24-year-old almost three years to get a shot at his United debut. After arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2005 from Stoke City, he was immediately farmed out to Watford for two seasons. He excelled there, eventually earning his first England cap.

Foster's lengthy loan spell away from the club and his subsequent injuryhave prevented him from playing a single competitive game for the Reds, until now.

Sir Alex should also be able to call on Louis Saha against Derby County.

The Frenchman was pencilled in to start against Portsmouth last week, but he pulled up in the warm-up for United's FA Cup tie last weekend with a knee complaint.

But the Reds boss will hope to have the powerful forward at his disposal. He added: "Louis trained on Thursday and if he comes through training on Friday then he will be involved against Derby."

perhaps not an ideal situation for him but he is a pretty good keeper as we saw from his season on loan. Although he has just came back, he is going to play behind some decent defenders unlike his season with watford. I think he will be alright, its only derby anyway.

[funkdoctorspock]

I'm very interested to see how Foster performs. I have a funny feeling that the backline with have a few non starters. If that is the case, Foster will have some work to put in.

Its a good match up for him to make his United debut. I'm excited for him. Hope all goes well.

[Torque]

I bet he will do very well. Derby doesn't have such good strikers that would pose some serious problems to Foster. Plus, it's his first match for United and Ben will do his best to have a good performance and maybe even attempt to win the battle with VDS for the starting keeper against Bolton. Who knows?!

[dylangranville]

unfortunatley i doubt you will get to see him perform vs derby.

he will likely get a clean sheet for his debut though.

dylan

[GocartMozart]

Exactly, he won't erform. There will be almost nothing for him to do. Our back four will have this on lock down. Too strong for Derby. The leagues best defense against the leagues worst offense. The leagues best offense against the leagues worst defense. There are a million miles between these two sides and it will be particularly evident from the first kick

[dylangranville]

well lets hope united dont take this game toooo lightly... the title is in our hands at the moment. we need to make sure we dont blow easy 3 points like these

that said, i wont be betting on derby

[Iron_Maiden]

Originally Posted by ZEUS

I bet he will do very well. Derby doesn't have such good strikers that would pose some serious problems to Foster.

Serious strikers:you mean that if the team is the weaker side on paper,it has no serious strikers.Believe me,let them have an inch and they will found the back of the net.

Foster must be very excited to get such a chance.handling the pressure must be the most serious problem for him,then the opposition!And i bet Derby strikers will ask some questions to our defense,we have to be aware at the back!

So these said,Good luck,Ben!

[Dirtycheat]

Originally Posted by funkdoctorspock

I'm very interested to see how Foster performs. I have a funny feeling that the backline with have a few non starters. If that is the case, Foster will have some work to put in.

Its a good match up for him to make his United debut. I'm excited for him. Hope all goes well.

Exactly, this isnt the biggest game in the calendar and the likes of rio vida and evra are due a break now. Rio has already played 37 games and vida and evra played 35 each.

Perhaps the likes of simpson and oshea will get a chance tomorrow.

Derby dont have much attacking force without barnes (who i think is injured ) but they did score against us the last time they played us.

This will by no means be the most challenging task foster will ever encounter but its a good game to make a debut i suppose.

[httpa806]

good! show us what you can do foster!

[DdT_7]

good for him! against derby too. clean sheet would be wonderful.