MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Fabien Barthez looks like he's played his last match for Manchester United.

The French international goalkeeper was widely reported to have walked out on the club last week after manager Alex Ferguson criticized him following its Champions League quarter-final elimination by Real Madrid.

Barthez returned to the team before Sunday's 2-0 victory at Tottenham but was overlooked in favour of backup Roy Carroll and wasn't even on the bench.

There must be something in the water at Old Trafford. I'm thinking here of the number of quality goalkeepers since about 1990 who have not only failed at United, but have suffered damage to their careers as a result of their time there. Names like Leighton, Sealey, Bosnich, Taibi, and now, it appears, Barthez, although he's done better than anyone else on that list. It's sad - five years ago Barthez was the best 'keeper in the world, bar none, and a colourful character to boot, but he looks tired and uncertain on the pitch now. Here's hoping he's able to get in a few more quality years elsewhere.

Of course, the overarching exception to any kind of "goalkeeper curse" at Manchester United is Peter Schmeichel, who did brilliantly there, but he's pretty much the only exception in the last fifteen years or so. In light of that, the incoming United starting 'keeper would be well advised to practise screaming loudly and frequently at his defenders.

Ferguson is reported to have a list of a half-dozen replacements that includes Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson, West Ham starter's David James, Finland's Antti Niemi at Southampton, Turkish 'keeper Rustu Recber at Fenerbahce, Czech national keeper Petr Cech at Rennes and American Brad Friedel at Blackburn.

Out of that list Recber is the best, but I'm thinking that they're more likely to go after Niemi. Ferguson already tried to get him once, and he's played (brilliantly) in the premiership. The Friedel link is interesting, and Robinson will be looking for a new team if Leeds go down. David James should stay at West Ham even if they get relegated because, though still capable of great games, he's pretty much a First Division calibre 'keeper now. Cech I know nothing about.