" Ricardo wants Fabien´s shirt "
Spanish international keeper Ricardo has vowed to take Fabien Barthez´s number one jersey off him.
The surprise signing from Real Valladolid has made just one appearance in the Premiership so far, coming on as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers - conceding a penalty before saving it! He´s hoping that his flamboyant style catches the manager´s eye before too long.
" I´m very determined to become Manchester United´s goalkeeper," he told MUTV.
" You´ve got to believe that and keep your self-confidence and one day you never know. People come and people go - you just have to concentrate on your own game and putting in a good pre-season by training hard."
Ricardo says that Roy Carroll being drafted in at the expense of Fabien has given him renewed hope of making his mark at Old Trafford after a frustrating first season.
" It´s a good thing when you realise that no squad member is untouchable. I´ll be working even harder now for the time when I´m called upon again," he insisted.
" Fabien´s still a good keeper, he´s had a very good season. Every player goes through a bad stage during the season, it´s just one of those things.
Nothing´s happened this season to make me change my mind about Fabien. He´s a great goalkeeper who´s enjoyed a great career at United and elsewhere."
Report by Simon Davies.