L´OM may turn to Barthez
Wednesday, 08 October 2003
Players:
Cedric Carasso
Fabien Barthez
Teams:
Marseille
Manchester United
By Patrick Haond
Marseille´s back-up goalkeeper Cedric Carasso faces six months on the sidelines after suffering an injury which could revive the club´s interest in Manchester United outcast Fabien Barthez.
Carasso damaged knee ligaments while playing in a charity game for Marseille against the France 1998 World Cup team on Monday.
The 21-year-old suffered the injury in the encounter which had been organised by Zinedine Zidane to raise money for the victims of the Algerian earthquake earlier this summer and also for families of fire-fighters who died during the forest fires which engulfed the South of France.
Former Crystal Palace shot stopper Carasso has undergone medical examinations which have confirmed the youngster could be out of action for six months.
His absence leaves l´OM coach Alain Perrin with a major goalkeeping headache as he now only has the inexperienced Jeremy Gavanon as cover for first choice Vedran Runje.
Carasso´s injury could force Perrin to raid the transfer market when the window reopens in the New Year with Barthez likely to be a prime candidate to fill the void.
Barthez is currently out of the first team picture with the Premiership champions and, while he is determined to fight for his Old Trafford future, appears amenable to the prospect of a loan move.
Paris Saint Germain have been linked with a swoop for his services although the French international number one is believed to favour a return to Marseille, if he heads back to Le Championnat.
Perrin can ill-afford to continue with just Runje and Gavanon at his disposal, particularly with l´OM chasing glory on the domestic front and in the Champions League.
The situation at Stade Velodrome may open the door for Barthez to make an emotional return to the South Coast when the transfer window opens for business again in January.