Ex-Manchester United man rejects Newcastle United move despite previous nice comments

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster reportedly turned down the opportunity to join Newcastle United on a short-term contract.

The Magpies have been forced to dip into the free agent market following an ankle injury to Karl Darlow, which is set to him sidelined for the next few months.

United agreed a deal to sign former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius but according to Football Insider, Foster was approached first.

The 39-year-old, who has made over 500 career appearances for the likes of West Brom, Birmingham City and Man United, is without a club after leaving Watford.

Indeed, Foster hinted at retirement last month following a playing career spanning 22 years.

Ben Foster hints at retirement

“It has been the best summer of my life,” the goalkeeper told talkSPORT. “I left Watford at the end of last season. Normally, when the season finishes you get a month or six weeks off and you jam pack your holidays in.

“I didn’t really think I would be signing for a new club near enough when the season starts. I thought I could give myself two months of holiday, have a nice time and then take it from there.

“I’ve had the best three months ever, been on holiday, just doing normal things when the kids finish school.

“We normally have to take the kids out of school to go on holiday. I’ve enjoyed being a normal person.

“I got to sit in the pub on a Saturday afternoon and watch the early game and the afternoon fixtures, it was brilliant.”

‘The best stadium to play in is St James’ Park’

Some might have presumed Foster would have relished the opportunity of playing for Newcastle after revealing St James’ Park was his favourite ground earlier this year.

Speaking on his Fozcast YouTube channel, the former England international said: “The best stadium to play at as a footballer I think is Newcastle. Honestly, St James’ Park, when that place is rocking, what an atmosphere.

“It’s a different atmosphere to most stadiums because it’s not neccasarily an intimidating atmosphere. When we played them a couple of weeks ago, they went 1-0 up in the 50th minute and the place was rocking.

“The noise is incredible, it’s such a big, massive stadium. That one stand, where the away fans sit is massive where you can see the away fans at the top.

“The noise is outrageous, but it’s not an intimidating noise. I’ve played in places like Celtic away and the atmosphere scares you. I’ve got to say Newcastle is, all being told the best stadium for atmosphere.”