Manchester United legend Andy Cole believes Sir Alex Ferguson will be pleased that Ben Foster is considering a loan move away.

In his column for the Independent, Cole wrote: "England's so-called goalkeeper crisis is no such thing. Most nations would be delighted to have three options who measure up to Ben Foster, David James and Robert Green. But on the vexed issue of whether Foster can expect to be picked when he is not the No 1 choice at Manchester United, I'd have to agree that he's on shaky ground, so he's well within his rights to be thinking about a loan or a move.

"And I'd bet, sincerely, that Sir Alex Ferguson loves that attitude too.

"I haven't specifically talked to Foster or Sir Alex about the issue, but I do know from years of experience that The Boss is always delighted to have players who are hungry to play. He'll relish that desire in Foster to be the primary choice. He might even see the sense in letting him go on loan, to get the games that are perceived to be his passport to South Africa."