The Most Dramatic Manchester Derby: Ben Foster’s Unforgettable Blunder
The Manchester derby is always a highly anticipated fixture in the football calendar, but the clash between Manchester United and Manchester City in September 2009 will forever be remembered as one of the most dramatic encounters of all time. However, for former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster, this match holds a different significance. It marked the beginning of the end of his five-year spell at Old Trafford, thanks to a scathing dressing-down from legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
In the dying moments of the game, Michael Owen scored a sensational injury-time winner to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory for Manchester United. The dressing room was buzzing with excitement and celebration, until Foster was abruptly brought back down to earth. Sir Alex Ferguson was livid with Foster’s blunders that led to City’s goals. The first goal came as Foster misjudged a ball that Carlos Tevez ultimately won, setting up Gareth Barry to score. Then, right near the end of the match, Foster was dummied at his near post by Craig Bellamy, allowing City to level the score at 3-3.
Foster’s mistakes did not go unnoticed by Ferguson, who wasted no time in expressing his anger and disappointment. Foster recalls the moment vividly, stating, “I remember coming in at full-time and Ferguson nailed me. We’d just won the game, so everyone was buzzing. He shut everyone up to nail me. He said, ‘You pull this s**t ever again and that’s you f***ing done’.” Despite the scolding, Ferguson decided to keep Foster in the team for a few more games. However, Foster’s struggles continued, and he dropped another clanger in a match against Sunderland when Kenwyne Jones bullied him to score with a header. This time, Ferguson’s patience ran out, and he made it clear that Foster’s time at Manchester United was over.
Reflecting on his time at the club, Foster admits that he wasn’t ready for the pressure and high standards that came with playing for Manchester United. He states, “I wasn’t ready for Man Utd at the time. It was the wrong place at the wrong time. I just couldn’t deal with it. Nobody could drop their standards — ever. That’s what drove them to be the best.” Foster’s experience highlights the immense pressure and expectations that come with playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Foster’s introduction to the demanding nature of Manchester United came early in his career when he received a scolding from midfield hardman Roy Keane. Foster recalls a moment during training when he rolled the ball to Keane too slowly, resulting in a fierce reprimand from the Irishman. Foster admits, “I was s**t-scared of him. I rolled the ball to him too slow apparently. He stopped the ball, b****cked me, then turned around and carried on playing.” Fortunately for Foster, Keane left Manchester United to join Celtic a few weeks later, sparing him from further encounters with the intimidating midfielder.
Despite the difficult experiences and setbacks, Foster’s career continued to thrive after leaving Manchester United. He went on to play for Birmingham City and later joined Watford, where he became a key figure for the club. Foster even came out of retirement to help Wrexham win the National League last season before finally retiring from professional football.
The 2009 Manchester derby will forever be etched in football history as one of the most thrilling encounters between Manchester United and Manchester City. For Ben Foster, it will always be remembered as the match that sparked the end of his time at Old Trafford. However, Foster’s journey serves as a reminder that setbacks and challenges can lead to personal growth and success in unexpected ways.