Foster frustrated at United

Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster admits he is becoming increasingly disheartened with life at Old Trafford.

Foster was handed his chance between the posts for United at the start of the season as Edwin van der Sar's finger injury afforded him a prolonged run in Sir Alex Ferguson's first XI.

However, he failed to ever really convince and since the Dutchman's return he has failed to even make the bench, with Tomasz Kuszczak preferred as back-up.

While he has been out of favour domestically, on the international arena, Fabio Capello has started him in each of England's last two games.

He appears well placed to earn a place in Capello's squad for next summer's World Cup; a situation Foster admits has left him scratching his head.

"It's a weird one," he said. "I am third choice for Manchester United at the moment yet I am playing for my country.

"It is very disheartening not even be on the bench at United.

"Edwin is one of the best keepers in the world. I can't really go knocking on the manager's door and say he is not doing his job because he is."

Foster has previously stated his desire to remain at Old Trafford so he can find out for certain whether he has what it takes to be a first-choice goalkeeper at one of Europe's leading clubs.

During United's pre-season tour of the Far East, Ferguson stated his belief that Foster would go to South Africa as England's number one and reaffirmed an intention to give him as much match practice as possible.

Unfortunately, Foster's mistakes have been costly and not gone unnoticed.

"I thought I started off well but then there was a period of two or three games where I made a few mistakes," he said.

"But they were the only ones I made really and I was disappointed to find myself out of the team."