KEEPER TALK

Last updated : 22 July 2005 By Editor

Sir Alex on Keepers past, present and future.

"I feel that Tim Howard has got great potential. Although he is 25, he is young in terms of being a goalkeeper," said Sir Alex.

"People forget that Peter Schmeichel came here as a goalkeeper with great potential at the age of 27. Therefore I look upon Tim as one for the future as I do with Tommy Lee, Luke Steele and Tom Heaton.

"But I saw the potential of Ben Foster countless times last season, as well as the fact that I had Darren raving about him and telling me the kind of lad he was.

"Tony Coton then started to watch him and saw him about half a dozen times.

"Having done all that homework and having had the recommendations, we felt he was too good to miss.

"It doesn't reflect on the other young goalkeepers because I think I have got some excellent young goalkeepers here. The best we have ever had.

"But when someone turns up with Ben Foster's physique - he's a massive lad - then I think we have done the right thing.

"He is lightning quick, is a fantastic kicker with either foot and has really good potential."

"We have had complications with the goalkeepers and sometimes disappointments in the post-Schmeichel era," He went on.

"Maybe the whole thing was that Schmeichel's presence, aura, reputation and record, was killing the successors and making it difficult for them. That's why Edwin van der Sar brings back that great experience and personality and should handle all that.

"Then hopefully we will build up the next era of goalkeepers who won't have any issues about Peter Schmeichel.

"I thought in Fabien Barthez's first season maybe we'd cracked it but it ended up a bit disappointing. Hopefully the Schmeichel thing will pass now."