United goalkeeper Ben Foster has revealed his impending knee surgery could save his career.
The 24-year-old, who's been widely touted as Edwin van der Sar's long-term successor, was always going to miss the start of the Premiership campaign after it became apparent he would require surgery this month on his troublesome right knee.
But now, after discovering the true extent of the injury, Foster says it's a price he's willing to pay.
"It could have been worse," Foster told The Mirror after doctors discovered bone impacting on the ligaments. "If they hadn't found that fragment of bone the surgeons told me I wouldn't have had much of a career left."
The newspaper speculates that the goalkeeper may not play again until the New Year, but Foster remains upbeat about his future.
"I read some of the headlines about my United and England dreams being shattered, but I'm not looking at it that way. Of course it's galling, but I'm looking at it as a massive blessing in disguise because it could have been much worse."
Foster joined the Reds from Stoke City in August 2005 but spent the last two seasons on loan at Watford. And while he's yet to make his United debut, his performances at Vicarage Road won him widespread praise, and an England cap.
Earlier this year, Sir Alex described Foster's capture as "a great bit of business" and tantamount to "guarding the future of the club".
Didnt know it was so serious, get well soon!
Oww.... get well soon foster.
Kuszczak got more time to fight with him liao.. lol
hope he get well soon!
well, good call by him to get the surgery.