Kuszczak to leave United

Published Apr. 9, 2011 12:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

Goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has confirmed that he will leave Manchester United at the end of the season.

Despite the fact that Dutch veteran van der Sar is hanging up his gloves when the current campaign concludes, Kuszczak is not sticking around to fight for the number one spot.

Sir Alex Ferguson is widely expected to dip into the transfer market to find a replacement and the former Hertha Berlin and West Brom shot-stopper accepts he does not fit the bill for the Scottish tactician.

He said: "I'm definitely leaving the club. My time in Manchester is coming to an end.

"I've worked hard for five years but I never played as much as I wanted. It's a shame the manager didn't really give me a chance.

"I always believed I can be Edwin van der Sar's successor. Unfortunately, Sir Alex has decided differently.

"Even though I played many games, I spent most of my time on the bench."

Kuszczak, who has made just 30 Premier League appearances since arriving at Old Trafford in August 2006, claims he would not have been as patient at any other club.

But fears over his international future with the European Championships in his homeland looming next summer have left him with little option.

He added: "I accepted that as I had a great rival, one of the world's best keepers, and Manchester was the only club where I could accept that role for so long.

"But I've had enough of waiting. I want to play in Euro 2012. Staying here I could be left out by Poland's coach.

"I spoke to Alex Ferguson about my role on many occasions.

"The manager was in a difficult position. But he also knew Edwin is retiring after this season so he could give me a few more chances to play.

"We didn't speak that much to convince me next year I can be number one."