SAF said Barthez just needed a rest after the Madrid match but whos the most possible replacement for Barthez if he does get drop next season. Roy Carroll: Hes a good keeper, but I can't remember if SAF ever promoted a second choice keeper to become a first choice before. Antti Niemi: soccernet.com said he might be a possible replacement
i dont want barthez to go out,, but if he did i dont know who the hell is going to replace hime,, carrol is good ,, but he is a bit shaky,, ....... and i think i saw a tim howard transfer rumour some where. !!WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!
Man. U. would be very happy with either Brad Friedel or Kasey Keller. They are both outstanding and would be a marked improvement over Barthez.
Maybe the American would not even be in the EPL right now. Tim Howard has been mentioned, but I doubt that he could step in as the Number 1 immediately. I say keep Barthez for a year or two, then phase Howard in. I certainly can't vouch for Carroll, that horrendous clearance on Saturday was enough for me to be skeptical.
New keeper Fabs been a good servant to the club, hes made mistakes, and made some good saves. If he leaves, which I think he will, I for one say thanks for your efforts. Fabs main problem is his height and occassional lapses. His spring does offset is lack of height to a degree. Anyone who watched the Great Dane on saturday, will know how spolit we were for a number of years to have the best keeper in the world. I can understand the desire to have an American player at United. Friedel is a good keeper, but I cant see Blackburn selling him. Its a question of money at the end of the day. Robinson has age on his side. He will not be cheap. Saints have some good keepers, who Fergie maybe interested in. United were interested in Poom a few years back. Not sure they will go for him. My list of possible keepers are 1, Rustu 2, Robinson 3, Nieme 4, Sorensen/Poom/Macho - good keepers in a poor team. If you were a betting man, they would be worth a bet. Would definitely make good second choice keepers if not first. 5, Toldo - unlikely due to price and would be top of the list if I thought they would really spend money needed to land him 6, None of the above, but will not currently play in England. Fergie may bring in another virtual unknown.
Roy Carroll will get his chance. The only american with a shout will be Friedle, United have better back ups than Keller or Howard.
Keller is one of the top 5 keepers in the EPL..we don't have anybody in our ranks who is better than him right now.
by my count, Keller let in more howlers than Barthez this season (and almost as many as Seaman... who am I kidding. No one has come close to Seaman...) Kellar has had some good games, but He's not in league with Barthez. If SAF is looking for a change. It will be for the best of the best. He'll not be taking any steps back. but for the sake of arguement. Let's say that Kellar is the 5th best in the premiereship - what is that really saying? It's saying that SAF had better be looking at the Italian and Spanish leagues for a netminder if the EPL is so poorly stocked.
I'd like to see Tim Howard get a chance--maybe he would be able to get past Keller on the national team then. I doubt Sir Alex will go with an unknown, though. I expect Niemi to be first target, and then the Turkish #1 (forgetting his name) to be the second possibility. Barthez will be sold, I think everyone has come to terms with this. He has done some good things, but has made too many errors and is a bit too eager to pull a Campos. I like Carroll but would like to see someone else brought in.
I undertand that any United fan based in the USA might promote a US netminder... but Tim Howard? Keller? SAF has really only 2 slots to target in the lineup. 1 forward and 1 netminder. That means approx £10m to spend on a keeper. that kind of money in this kind of market buys "class". Recber is class. but Turkish players in general seem to feel uneasy about playing in England lately....
I think the Howard rumors won't come about. I really can't see him minding the net when he has zero experience in Europe. Can you imagine him playing in the CL? I can't. At best, he's the 2nd GK. Even then, I think Carroll & Ricardo are better, given their experience. I like mactheknife's idea about Cudicini.
There's no way in hell Tim Howard is going to United. Did you see the howler her had last week against Colorado. Sir Alex is looking for a big-time keeper like Rustu or Cudicini or maybe a Robinson.
I didn't say he would be the number 1 right now--I think that they should dump Ricardo, who has looked awful in the limited times I've seen/listened to him play. I think Howard, with his youth, athletic ability and knowledge of the game, would be a great GK for United to pick up, develop and then bring into the starting line up in 2 years or so. As for him in CL, I could see it. The only way he'll get experience is by playing. SAF could do what he did this yr--give him time when they have already clinched a round.
Ollie Kahn today said he may leave Bayern Muenchen cos he's bored and wants a new challenge. !!! The question is how much would he cost !!! You don't get anymore established then the blonde caveman looking Kahn!!! Go, go, go Fergie buy, buy. buy