VDS offers Foster Support

Edwin van der Sar is backing Ben Foster to recover from his current problems, but warned his team-mate he also intends to take back his Manchester United place between the posts.

Foster has endured a turbulent few weeks, being blamed for two Manchester City goals in the thrilling Old Trafford derby last month before being brushed aside far too easily by Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones last weekend.

However, Van der Sar can offer some words of comfort, telling the Manchester Evening News: "Nobody has a clear path in their career. You go up and down. You just have to make sure that the downs are not as deep as the ones you go up."

He added: "I had similar things when I was young. That is what makes you the man and the player you become as a goalkeeper.

"Ben certainly has the strength of character to overcome what he has been through. How he deals with it will shape the player he will be.

"He is a very strong guy. I have sympathy for him but I have no worries about him."