Kuszczak Trying To Make The Most Of Every Opportunity

It was a bitter-sweet outing for Tomasz Kuszczak against West Ham on Wednesday night as the scramble to get in Manchester United's goal turns into a crush.

With Ben Foster fit again and Edwin van der Sar showing no sign of relinquishing his status as United number one despite celebrating his 38th birthday, Kuszczak knows his opportunities to impress are going to be limited.

So, having been drafted into Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up for Wednesday night's encounter with West Ham at Old Trafford, the Poland international might have hoped to be more than a virtual bystander in a cruise for the home side.

"It is not easy when you have nothing to do, but that is how it is for a goalkeeper. You have to try hard to keep your concentration for 90 minutes. You need to do your job properly and keep a clean sheet. This is most important thing for a goalkeeper and of course very important for the team as well. It was a big day for me because I have not played for a few weeks. I hope I get another chance soon. Saturday ? Why not ?"

In truth, Van der Sar is almost certain to get his place back for the weekend visit of Hull. As luck would have it, the only other occasion the veteran Dutchman failed to make United's starting line-up this season, neither Kuszczak nor Foster were fit, with Ferguson handing Ben Amos a senior debut in the Carling Cup against Middlesbrough.

Ferguson has pencilled Foster in to play at Celtic next Wednesday, with the League Cup tie with QPR six days later offering another opportunity for one of van der Sar's deputies.

"They will all get their minutes on the clock, we have to manage the situation with Edwin because he is 38. At that age, we don't need him to play every game because we have two very capable goalkeepers in Tomasz and Ben. Having Ben fit again is an enormous boost to us because he is an outstanding goalkeeper."

Indeed, Ferguson has previously stated he rates Foster as England's best goalkeeper, an opinion the 25-year-old would surely have been able to put to the test if he had not spent the last 18 months on the treatment table, first with a cruciate knee ligament injury, then an ankle problem.

Foster has already proved his talent in two spells at Watford, so it is hardly a surprise Harry Redknapp should be thinking about getting him to Tottenham. However, such a move would be tantamount to an admission of failure by Ferguson, which appears unlikely at this stage. It is a delicate balancing act for Fergie, who handed Kuszczak a two-year contract extension last month that will keep him at United until 2012, especially as van der Sar remains hungry as ever.

"The hunger is still there to win as many trophies as possible," said the 'keeper whose penalty save from Nicolas Anelka won United the Champions League last season. You know when you come to a club like this you will be challenging for trophies and we have been lucky enough to win a few over the last few years."

The three-way battle is mirrored at right-back where Wes Brown, Gary Neville and teenage gatecrasher Rafael are competing for a single spot, while midfield presents a problem now Michael Carrick has recovered from ankle and foot injuries and made a substitute appearance against the Hammers. There is also the conundrum up front where, it seems Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov are fighting it out for only two spaces.

"Three players just won't fit into two positions," reflected Fergie, "I could play all three," he added. It may lack balance at times but Rooney could play anywhere so it is an option." .....Back To Home Page

Van der Sar Insists After Norway Game "It Really Is All Over"

Holland goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has reiterated that his decision to come out of international retirement is a 'one-off'. The Manchester United player had called an end to representing his nation following their quarter-final exit at Euro 2008.

However, with Holland suffering a major crisis with injuries to both their first and second keeper, Van der Sar answered manager Bert van Marwijk's call for help.

At the age of 37 Van der Sar, who has 128 caps to his name, is now poised to represent The Netherlands in their back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Iceland and Norway.

He said on Uefa.com: "It was hard to say no. I have been part of this team for a long time. I have always had a sense of responsibility. I do not only think about my own interest, but always have an eye on the team's interest. I was surprised. I had not expected to be back, though I did not want to desert the team. But that does not mean I will do the same again next time. Bert said it would be a one-off. Two matches, and that's it. After Norway it really is over."

Well, until they have another crisis I think. He's too kind for his own good I think. If you make a decision it's much better to stick to it. Having said that, showing allegiance to your country like he has is a good thing.....Back To Home Page

Van Der Sar Answers Dutch Call For Help

The KNVB (Dutch FA) had a slight technical hitchfor their upcoming games against Iceland and Norway in the World Cup qualifiers, no goalkeeper available. I guess they didn't fancy the prospect of Klaas Van Huntelaar or Ruud van Nistelrooy guarding their goal. So they approached Edwin van der Sar who quit international football after last summers European Championships in Austria/Switzerland.

The new number one choice Maarten Stekelenburg has picked up a shoulder injury which has left coach Bert van Marwijk with few options. Now van der Saar has agreed to come back for the qualifiers against Iceland and Norway. Utrecht goalkeeper Michael Vorm has also been called up with Henk Timmer of Feyenoord also a doubt - meaning van der Sar is likely to play and add to his 128 cap tally.

Along with Vorm, PSV Eindhoven's Dirk Marcellis has also received his first call-up to the senior set-up. Along with van der Sar there are a further five British-based players included in the shape of Andre Ooijer, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Edwin Van Der Sar Wallpapers

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