Name :
Tomasz Kuszczak
Born :
20 Mar 1982
Birth place :
Krosno Odrzanskie
Height :
1.91m
Weight :
84 kg
Position :
Goalkeeper
Squad Number :
29
Appearances :
61
Joined United :
10 Aug 2006
United Debut :
17 Sep 2006 v Arsenal (H)
International :
Poland
There aren't many tougher jobs at United than shadowing Edwin van der Sar.
With one of the world's best ahead of you, chances are limited, which means grasping the opportunities that come your way is essential.
By and large, Tomasz Kuszczak has done just that. Remember his United debut in September 2006? The Reds may have lost, but Kuszczak made a stunning penalty save from Arsenal's Gilberto Silva.
Since then, United fans have come to recognise Tomasz's immense shot-stopping ability. An imposing figure between the sticks, the Pole is extremely athletic and agile, attributes that first came to the Reds' attention when he came on for West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford in May 2005.
With the Baggies 1-0 down and Russell Hoult injured after 22 minutes, Kuszczak came off the bench to make a string of saves and keep out United for the rest of the match. Robert Earnshaw’s penalty eventually earned Bryan Robson’s men a vital point and the following term Tomasz established his position as first-choice goalkeeper at The Hawthorns.
In the summer of 2006 United embarked on a relentless pursuit of the Poland international. Finally, after turning down three offers, the Midlands side relented and allowed Kuszczak to join the Reds, initially on loan. His move was made permanent at the beginning of the double-winning 2007/08 campaign, a season in which Tomasz made 16 appearances and kept no fewer than eight clean sheets.
In 2008/09 a fit-again Ben Foster threatened Tomasz's position as no.2, but the Pole always insisted it was a challenge he relished. And while Foster may have been given the nod in the Carling Cup final against Tottenhan Hotspur, Sir Alex assured Kuszczak and fans that the 6ft 3in stopper still had a big part to play in United's future.
That proved the case in 2009/10 when Kuszczak enjoyed an uninterrupted 11-game stretch between the posts from November to January. The Pole pulled off a string of fine saves (particularly against Portsmouth at Fratton Park) and proved he was more than capable of playing reguarly on the big stage.
Unfortunately for Tomasz, though, Edwin van der Sar showed few signs of slowing down in his final season at Old Trafford. The Reds also signed Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard in January 2011, further restricting the Pole's opportunities. Kuszczak played 10 times across the season, but has hinted that he may look elsewhere for regular football in 2011/12.
Did You Know? 'Tomasz Kuszczak' would fetch a score of 53 in Scrabble. It's pronounced 'Tomash Koosh-shack'.
Born :
20 Mar 1982
Birth place :
Krosno Odrzanskie
Height :
1.91m
Weight :
84 kg
Position :
Goalkeeper
Squad Number :
29
Appearances :
61
Joined United :
10 Aug 2006
United Debut :
17 Sep 2006 v Arsenal (H)
International :
Poland
There aren't many tougher jobs at United than shadowing Edwin van der Sar.
With one of the world's best ahead of you, chances are limited, which means grasping the opportunities that come your way is essential.
By and large, Tomasz Kuszczak has done just that. Remember his United debut in September 2006? The Reds may have lost, but Kuszczak made a stunning penalty save from Arsenal's Gilberto Silva.
Since then, United fans have come to recognise Tomasz's immense shot-stopping ability. An imposing figure between the sticks, the Pole is extremely athletic and agile, attributes that first came to the Reds' attention when he came on for West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford in May 2005.
With the Baggies 1-0 down and Russell Hoult injured after 22 minutes, Kuszczak came off the bench to make a string of saves and keep out United for the rest of the match. Robert Earnshaw’s penalty eventually earned Bryan Robson’s men a vital point and the following term Tomasz established his position as first-choice goalkeeper at The Hawthorns.
In the summer of 2006 United embarked on a relentless pursuit of the Poland international. Finally, after turning down three offers, the Midlands side relented and allowed Kuszczak to join the Reds, initially on loan. His move was made permanent at the beginning of the double-winning 2007/08 campaign, a season in which Tomasz made 16 appearances and kept no fewer than eight clean sheets.
In 2008/09 a fit-again Ben Foster threatened Tomasz's position as no.2, but the Pole always insisted it was a challenge he relished. And while Foster may have been given the nod in the Carling Cup final against Tottenhan Hotspur, Sir Alex assured Kuszczak and fans that the 6ft 3in stopper still had a big part to play in United's future.
That proved the case in 2009/10 when Kuszczak enjoyed an uninterrupted 11-game stretch between the posts from November to January. The Pole pulled off a string of fine saves (particularly against Portsmouth at Fratton Park) and proved he was more than capable of playing reguarly on the big stage.
Unfortunately for Tomasz, though, Edwin van der Sar showed few signs of slowing down in his final season at Old Trafford. The Reds also signed Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard in January 2011, further restricting the Pole's opportunities. Kuszczak played 10 times across the season, but has hinted that he may look elsewhere for regular football in 2011/12.
Did You Know? 'Tomasz Kuszczak' would fetch a score of 53 in Scrabble. It's pronounced 'Tomash Koosh-shack'.
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