Ben Foster, the 23-year-old keeper who is on a two-year loan at Watford from Manchester United, was one of the heroes of the Hornets' promotion success last season, and is again receiving rave notices for his performances in Adi Boothroyd's team's valiant attempt to avoid bouncing straight back down into the Championship.
But because of Premier League rules Foster cannot play against United at Old Trafford tonight, but will be a spectator with split loyalties.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been keeping an eye on Foster's progress, and is in no doubt that his chance of first team Premiership football with the Hornets has been a valuable part of his development, while Old Trafford goalkeeper coach Tony Coton and Sir Alex have been receiving glowing, regular reports on Foster's progress from Vicarage Road.
And Manchester legend Alex Stepney, whose brilliant match-turning save against Eusebio in 1968 at Wembley was vital in United becoming the first English team to win the European Cup, has been keeping tracks of Ben, and forecasts: "He is a certain England regular of the future, and in a year or two will be Manchester United's number one keeper."
Added Stepney, who keeps a close watch on all the men in the pool of England international keepers, but does not think an Englishman is the best 'keeper in the Premiership: "I think we have had too many foreign keepers in recent years pushing home bred lads down the pecking list, and I make no bones about saying that.
"For a United fan there is some consolation in that statement because the two of the best three keepers in recent years in the country have been Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar. Athough I must confess that in my Fantasy Football team I have been naming Bolton's Jussi Jaaskelainen."
As for Foster, Stepney predicts: "In my view the long term picture of Ben's career looks very good at Premiership level with Manchester United and at international level with England. There is no doubt that I have had tremendous pleasure in watching Peter Smeichel in his time, and Edwin Van der Sar now playing for my old team; but I would love to see an English keeper doing it at Old Trafford again in Sir Alex's team.
"It has been good watching Ben proving himself in the Premiership for Watford. And I can see him playing for many years for Manchester United and England."
Stepney reckons that Van der Sar has at least another two years being United's number one, but when the Dutchman feels that he is starting to get past his best then Foster will have no trouble slotting into his position.
Meanwhile Van der Sar is talking only about future triumphs and says: "We are clearly in pole position for the Premiership title, and confidence remains high at Old Trafford despite the shock defeat after leading against Arsenal. We were in control of the game until ten minutes from the end, but despite the disappointment of the result there were still many good pointers that we took from the game."
