BARTHEZ'S CONTRACT TO BE TERMINATED

'Barthez joined Manchester United in June 2000 from AS
Monaco and was contracted to the club until June 2006. As a
result of this agreement, the second-half results will
include a write-off of the un-amortised balance of the
original registration cost and compensation to the player on
termination. The total charge will be £5million.’

United chief executive David Gill said: “It is good business
for us and good business for Fabien.

“We have Tim Howard and Roy Carroll, they are both in their
mid-20s, which is pretty young for goalkeepers.

“Fabien has signed a six-year contract but he hasn’t played
this year. He needs to have first-team action with Euro 2004
coming up, so it’s good for him.

“He has been a World Cup winner, he is a fantastic
goalkeeper, a Euro winner and he wanted to make sure he is
playing. Coming back to United would have meant he wasn’t
going to play as much as he wants.

“He is 33 in June so we thought it was good business to
terminate his contract.”