Ben Foster continues to receive support, but doubt still lingers.

Dutch goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar, is on the verge of returning to first team action for Manchester United – much to the delight of Man Utd’s fans, who have witnessed Ben Foster throw away his chance to become the main custodian at old Trafford.

Inspite of Foster’s poor decision-making, which has resulted in at least two goals being conceeded, van der Sar has backed Foster to come good.

“Nobody has a clear path in their career,” Van der Sar told the Manchester Evening News.

“You go up and down. You just have to make sure that the downs are not as deep as the ones you go up.

“I had similar things when I was young. That is what makes you the man and the player you become as a goalkeeper.

“Ben certainly has the strength of character to overcome what he has been through. How he deals with it will shape the player he will be.

“He is a very strong guy. I have sympathy for him but I have no worries about him.”

Even if Foster has the mental strength to bounce back from setbacks, there will always be question marks about his decision-making.

He had an outstanding two seasons on loan at Watford, but even then conceeded a goal from a Paul Robinson goal-kick. A shoking mistake, which is still used in highlight footage today.

Further shockers against Malaysia in pre-season, Man City and Sunderland have left me disappointed in Foster. He displayed so much potential, but his decision-making has been dreadful.

I am not sure if the poor decions are a result of poor focus, over-confidence or lack of awareness, but they are detremental to the team and does not infuse confidence.

Just like Rio Ferdinand, I worry that Foster can go on a good run and turn out Man of the Match performances, only to implode when it really matters.

A goal-keeper cannot afford that luxury and it might be time to look at some solid alternatives like Manuel Neuer, Rene Adler, Igor Akinfeev or Hugo Lloris.