Who Can Be The Next Schmeichel?

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Every weekend, Manchester United have three keepers playing first team Premiership football. Dutch man-giraffe Edwin van der Sar is the current Old Trafford goalie in residence, Ben Foster is impressing between the pipes on loan at Watford while Tim Howard is getting rave reviews for his work on loan at Everton.

So the big question is: when van der Sar hangs up his gloves (he turned 36 yesterday) which keeper will replace him? Foster was the only thing between Aaron Lennon and two goals for Tottenham on Saturday, and he’s definitely keeping Watford’s goals against column respectable. Even better he’s got that Schmeichelesque big kick on him. Foster is also England’s third choice keeper behind Wigan’s Chris Kirkland, which actually makes him England’s second choice keeper because the former Liverpool man is made from same shoddy material as oft-injured Middlesbrough loanee Jonathan “thigh strain” Woodgate and Newcastle United injury magnet Kieron Dyer.

But right now the smart money is on Howard, as the big American has that extra bit of Premiership experience. He made the PFA Best XI in 2003/4 and looked set to make the Old Trafford number one jersey his own before inexplicably forming a goalkeeping comedy double act with Roy Carroll in the 2004/5 season. Carroll was shipped off to West Ham but Howard was given a stay of execution, and his heroics against Arsenal this weekend suggest he’s rediscovered that magnificent early form. Thomas Kucaifyt8h also came in admirably for Van Der Sar earlier in the season, saving a penalty against Arsenal.

Manchester United have been on two epic searches for the past few seasons in an attempt to replace Roy Keane in midfield and Peter Schmeichel in goal.

They haven’t really done very well with the former but do United supporters reckon they’re any closer on the latter?