Sir Alex Ferguson's proposed summer clear-out at Manchester United could
include the sale of goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, whose departure from Old
Trafford would clear the way for a bid for Sunderland's Thomas Sorensen or
West Ham's David James.
Although Ferguson has always given Barthez more of a free rein in the way
he spends his time away from the club, there have been serious concerns
about his thigh injury which has caused the France international intense
discomfort and occasionally prevented him from diving in training.
Times:
Sir Alex Ferguson's summer rebuilding operation at Manchester United could
include a search for a new goalkeeper if growing fears over the future of
Fabien Barthez prove to be justified.
Barthez claimed last week that he would see out the remaining four years of a
seven-year contract at Old Trafford, but the United hierarchy is so concerned
about his intentions that it has begun to consider possible replacements,
including David James, of West Ham United, and Rüstü Recber, the Turkey
international.
Barthez, 31, told The Times last week in a rare interview that "rumours about
my future have always been there . . . and I know they will remain", but
sources in Manchester and France suggest that the goalkeeper, growing
weary of the day-to-day pressures of playing for the world's biggest club,
plans to return to his native country sooner rather than later.
The situation is complicated further by the fact that his French girlfriend is
pregnant with their first child, whom they would prefer not to raise in a foreign
country.
Rüstü was voted second only to Oliver Kahn, of Germany, as the outstanding
goalkeeper in last summer's World Cup finals. He has attracted interest from
top clubs throughout Europe and is expected to leave Fenerbahçe on a free
transfer when his contract expires in the summer. Tony Coton, the United
goalkeeping coach, made a personal check on the 29-year-old when
Fenerbahçe played Besiktas a month ago.
In December, Rüstü voiced his regret that United's tentative interest in him
last summer had come to nothing and, although he has not ruled out the
prospect of staying in Istanbul, he reiterated his desire for such a move earlier
this week. Manchester City had been linked with a bid for him, but his
response left no doubts about his ambition. "If the likes of Real Madrid,
Manchester United, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona or AC Milan did not
make an offer for me, I would not play for a second-class club like Manchester
City," he said.
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