Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted an unsettled Ben Foster is unlikely to become Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper any time soon.
Foster suggested earlier in the week that a lack of first-team action, which appears to have put paid to his England's World Cup hopes, could result in him leaving Old Trafford this summer.
Ferguson has sympathy with the plight of the 27-year-old shot-stopper, but recently handed a new one-year contract to veteran Dutchman and current number one keeper Edwin van der Sar.
"I have had a chat with Ben," said Ferguson. "I understand his dilemma but there is nothing I can do.
"He is a terrific goalkeeper and we will see what the future brings for the boy.
"He has the talent to be England's goalkeeper and we're conscious of that.
"We'd like to help but unfortunately he's not played enough football to get him on that plane to South Africa."