Ben Foster makes honest admission over Manchester United career and why he struggled

Former Manchester United Ben Foster has cited inexperience and Edwin van der Sar's brilliance as the reasons why he failed to nail down the number one spot at the club.

The 38-year-old made just 12 Premier League appearances for United during his five-year stint in the north west but spent two of those on loan with Watford. His time at Old Trafford saw the shot-stopper competing against legendary goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who was invaluable for Sir Alex Ferguson in his six-year stay as they enjoyed top-flight dominance.

Currently battling relegation with the Hornets, Foster discussed the problems he faced as Reds number one following a pre-season injury to the Dutch goalkeeper. And one of the games that lives long in his memory is their 4-3 win over Manchester City, after Michael Owen's stoppage-time heroics, but for the wrong reasons.

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"I think because [van der Sar] was so much older, when I left, I think he was 37 or 38, he knew how to deal with being a Man United player," Foster explained to the UTD Podcast. "He was world-class.

"He knew how to deal with being a Man United player and dealing with the pressure, the expectation. I did not know how to do that, nobody had ever showed me or taught me how to do that.

"People show you how to play football, but they can’t ever show you or expose you to that level of scrutiny and pressure until you’re there in that moment," he added. Foster's time came to an end in 2010 as he opted to join Birmingham City.

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