Foster looks to emulate Rafael

Ben Foster is looking to follow the lead of Rafael and break into the Manchester United first team on a permanent basis.

Foster has watched on in admiration as Rafael snatched the right-back slot away from Gary Neville and Wes Brown despite being only 18.

Seven years his senior, Foster has not been able to make the same impact on the goalkeeping slot after having last season wrecked by a cruciate knee ligament injury.

But the England keeper is expected to make his second start in a week when he follows up his Carling Cup appearance against Blackburn by taking over from Edwin van der Sar when United conclude their Champions League group campaign against Aalborg.

“Young players show what they can do in training, then, if they do it in matches they are kept in the team,” said Foster.

“I would like to think that could happen with me as well. I just have to keep doing the same things in training and hopefully my chance will come along.”