Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak will battle it out to become Edwin van der Sar’s successor at Old Trafford when the Dutch veteran calls time on his Manchester United career.

With Van der Sar set to be rested for tonight’s Champions League group clash against Besiktas in Manchester, Ferguson is expected to hand England keeper Foster the chance to redeem himself following a series of high-profile errors earlier in the campaign.

Ferguson has ruled out the possibility of Foster being allowed to leave United on loan in January in order to safeguard his chances of going to the World Cup as one of Fabio Capello’s three goalkeepers.

Van der Sar’s longevity has stifled Foster’s progress at United, but Ferguson has no doubts that the former Stoke and Watford keeper has what it takes to become the club’s next number one.

Ferguson said: “I have said it all along and it does not change - the boy (Foster) has terrific ability.

“The only issue is that he needs big-game experience and he hasn’t quite got that yet. But Edwin is 39, so there will be an opportunity one day.

“Ben and Tomasz Kuczszak will fight it out (for the goalkeeping position.) I am sure of that.”

Van der Sar, who has been offered the opportunity to make an international return with Holland at the World Cup, has spoken of the possibility of retirement at the end of this season.

With his contract due to expire next summer, no talks have yet taken place over a new deal with the former Ajax, Juventus and Fulham number one.

But Ferguson admits he expects Van der Sar to give him an indication as to his plans in the coming month.

Ferguson said: “I have had no indication on that yet. Edwin has not decided.

“Usually, around Christmas time, he will outline his plans on how long he can go on and we will wait for that.

“I don’t know his plans and, when you get to that age and you have a young family, you wonder whether he does have plans to go to Holland.

“He is a very intelligent man and understands his body better than anyone and will make the right judgement.”