Ben Amos is determined to add to his solitary Premier League appearance for Manchester United, but appreciates that he will have to bide his time.
Promising keeper looking to prove his worth at Old Trafford
Ben Amos is determined to add to his solitary Premier League appearance for Manchester United, but appreciates that he will have to bide his time.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper was handed his top flight bow during a home date with Stoke in January, with Sir Alex Ferguson having turned to the youngster after seeing his shot-stopping options severely depleted through injury.
Amos put in an assured display against the Potters and is hoping that he will be given the opportunity to grace the Old Trafford turf on many more occasions in the future.
"I've had to stay patient for a lot of the season and I finally got my debut, so I felt like that was worth the wait," he told
Sky Sports at an event hosted by
Thomas Cook Sport, official travel partner of Manchester United.
"Obviously I would like to play a lot more, but at the moment I'm just concentrating on doing the best I can in training and hopefully more opportunities will come.
"It's a start. I feel like I am good enough to play at this level. It's just about getting the opportunities. David (de Gea) has come in and done well, so while we are winning games I will stay patient and do my best, work hard and try to change that. We will just have to see how it goes."
Competition
Amos is aware that he faces stiff competition for places at United, with De Gea and Anders Lindegaard both in their 20s and proven at the very highest level.
He added: "You never know what's going to happen in football. You saw with my debut that anything can happen. If I can come in for a period of games and prove myself, then it's up to me to make sure that the manager can't leave me out.
"They're two very good goalkeepers. There is a good camaraderie between us in training, there is always good banter flying around between us and we are good mates. It's great to work with them and it is really healthy competition all the time. We are all pushing each other on."
Amos is also aware that goalkeepers often have to wait longer for their big break than those pushing for outfield positions.
He said: "When Edwin (van der Sar) was at the club, he told me that he didn't break into the Ajax team until he was 23, so that gave me a little bit of perspective because he finished when he was 40. There is that part of it and it can be frustrating at times, but I have just got to be patient."
The England U21 international has already taken in loan spells at Peterborough, Molde and Oldham during his fledgling career and admits he would be prepared to tread that path again if it helps him to hit his long-term targets.
Improve
He said: "It's something I will look at at the beginning of next season. Hopefully I will go on tour with United and get some games there, then I will sit down with the manager and Eric Steele and see what is best for me. At the end of the day, that is what I have to think about.
"In training there is only so much you can improve. You get the most experience in games, high pressure games. That's what I need to kick on, but I have got to balance that with what's in front of me at United."
Amos need not look far for inspiration when it comes to making the grade at Old Trafford, with fellow academy graduates Jonny Evans, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck proving that it is possible to come through the ranks and hold down a regular role at a Premier League heavyweight.
"Man United have been showing that for decades," he said.
"When you see a little group of players making it, bedding themselves into the team, then it gives the other academy lads a lot hope and a lot of motivation."
Ben Amos was speaking on behalf of Thomas Cook Sport, official travel partner of Manchester United. Secure your seat at Old Trafford and a 4* hotel in the city with a Thomas Cook Sport Match Break. Call 0844 800 9900 or visit www.thomascooksport.com for details.
