Roy Carroll's blunder in Manchester United's Champions League victory over Lyon at Old Trafford last night almost put a dampener on Sir Alex Ferguson's 1,000th match in charge of the club.
Mahamadou Diarra's speculative 35-yard effort did not appear to be any threat to Carroll - it was aimed straight at his body - but the Northern Ireland international somehow allowed the ball to bounce off him and into the net.
It is the latest blunder to afflict Manchester United goalkeepers, a number of whom have fallen by the wayside as Ferguson has tried to find an adequate replacement for Peter Schmeichel.
Here we look at the goalkeepers Ferguson has signed during his time in charge at United.
JIM LEIGHTON (Signed June 1988 from Aberdeen - '750,000).
Working with Ferguson at Aberdeen benefited Leighton, who was drafted in and enjoyed four good years but left just before United's dominance began with only an FA Cup and League Cup winner's medal.
MARK BOSNICH (Signed June 1989 from Sydney Croatia - free; signed June 1999 from Aston Villa - free).
His two spells at Old Trafford were equally as miserable. Bought out his contract after just three games first time, only to return 10 years later. Personality clash with Ferguson resulted in an acrimonious and rapid exit after failing to live up to expectations.
LES SEALEY (Signed June 1990 from Luton - free; signed from Aston Villa January 1993 - free).
A surprise signing, initially on loan, but repaid Ferguson's faith by starring in FA Cup final replay victory at the expense of Jim Leighton in 1990. Starred in European Cup Winners' Cup final victory the following season but his appointment was only a short-term measure.
PETER SCHMEICHEL (Signed August 1991 from Brondby - '550,000).
Regarded as one of Ferguson's best-ever signings, the Great Dane arrived as United began to dominate the top flight. Won five Premier League titles in seven years, lifted three FA Cups and starred in that dramatic Champions League final victory in 1999. Will always be credited with helping establish United as the force in domestic football during the 1990s and was possibly the greatest goalkeeper to grace the Premiership.
TONY COTON (Signed January 1996 from Manchester City - '500,000).
Signed from United's city rivals only as back-up and did not play a game during a six-month stay.
RAIMOND VAN DER GOUW (Signed July 1996 from Vitesse Arnhem - free).
Another goalkeeper who lived in the considerable shadow of Schmeichel. Played only a few games in a six-year stay but was usually solid rather than spectacular when called upon to fill the breach.
MASSIMO TAIBI (Signed August 1999 from Inter Milan - '4.5million).
The Italian was signed as the high-profile replacement for Schmeichel but never came close to justifying his large price tag. Played just four games and was jettisoned after a series of blunders, most notably letting a Matthew Le Tissier daisy-cutter through his legs. One of Fergie's biggest transfer blunders.
FABIEN BARTHEZ (Signed June 2000 from Monaco - '7.8million).
Ferguson's second attempt at replacing Schmeichel was slightly more successful, although this time he had to invest in a proven France international. But despite his undoubted brilliance Barthez was another goalkeeper prone to making some major errors and he tested the manager's patience to the limit. Was replaced as first-choice by Tim Howard for start of 2003 season and left soon after.
ANDY GORAM (Signed on loan May 2001 from Motherwell).
Brought in as short-term cover to much derision from the footballing world, the 36-year-old played only two matches before returning to Scotland.
ROY CARROLL (Signed July 2001 from Wigan - '2.5million).
Was brought in to be Barthez's understudy but at times found himself elevated into the starting line-up as a result of the Frenchman's increasing problems with injury and indifferent form. Has never been seen as the long-term solution by Ferguson and has spent most of his time at Old Trafford as an understudy.
RICARDO (Signed July 2002 from Valladolid - '1.5million).
Another of Ferguson's flops. Was expected to challenge Barthez all the way but has managed only five appearances. Was loaned out to Racing Santander last season.
TIM HOWARD (Signed July 2003 from New York/New Jersey Metrostars - '2.3million).
Enjoyed an impressive start to his United career, having been thrust into the first-team limelight as a complete unknown. Lost his place for a month after United's Champions League exit last March and high-profile blunders against Bolton and Lyon earlier this season resulted in him being dropped and he has not played in a genuine first-team since mid-September.
Why do so many of Fergie's keepers fall by the wayside: Were they bad buys? have your say
Comments
Login or Register to comment
United are the biggest club in the world and without meaning any disrespect to Howard or Carroll, neither are nearly good enough to be first-choice at United. I think Carroll would be best as a reserve keeper, and bring in a top name like Buffon or Toldo. Or better still, get Carlo Cudicini, as Chelsea aren't playing him, and he wouldn't cost a bomb like the other 2. Or even Van der Saar as a possibility.
The young lad Luke Steele on loan at Coventry looks like he could be a good prospect in a few yrs.
I say let's stick with Roy Carroll. Everybody makes mistakes, and who cares when we still won the game! :-)
I dont think anyone who was at the Reebok last season will doubt that Howard will be our no1 goalie in the future. His performance that day was up there with the best I have seen. He is still young and learning the game.You have to remember that even when schmeicel first joined he made errors but the media coverage wasnt nearly as much back then and he didnt turn out to be that bad a keeper did he!!!
I just don't get you idiots...Howard is a world class athlete and Roy Carroll isno slouch either. Howard shouldn't have lost his job in the first place and Carroll shouldn't lose his now. Either one of them gives up one friggin clanger and you're all ready to get rid of them. You know, sometimes great goalkeepers happen to give up a goal once in a while. They're not invincible.
With the exception of the great DANE and Barthez, Ferguson tends to buy low profile goalkeepers. What you sow you shall reap and thats why many fall by the wayside. At present we have two average goalkeepers with potential and one hopes they can fulfill it because blunders like last night's are not acceptable.
We are too quick to cast away Howard. Premeirship goalkeeper of the year in his rookie season after playing exclusively in the MLS. That is a remarkable testament to his talent. Schmeical had some early blunders as well. Let Carroll have his time and get some transfer money before it's too late. But give up on Howard too soon and that will be the goalkeeping blunder we'll all be talking about.
Actually, that's the second in a month for Carroll - anyone see him spoon one in at the near post for Northern Ireland a couple of weeks back. Difficult to say from the number of games I've seen Carroll play but is it possible to say that Carroll will lose a goal like that from nowhere every few months whilst Howard will be more obviously in good form or bad form (hopefully mostly good)?
Schmeichel was superb, though even he had spells of losing confidence and making basic errors. Of course everyone remembers the fantastic saves and rightly so. I thought Barthez if judged over the 3 years also did fairly well. The first year he was fantastic - only in the second year did the errors start to appear and he had a dreadful couple of months that season. In his third season he played well in the premiership but had a strange match against Madrid. Not clear errors just a sense of wondering how he was beaten from that angle or distance. I thought Howard did ok and in time he will come back into the side. Credit too to Carroll who has done well, Rai Van der Gow and Les Sealey. No idea why we signed Taibi. Bosnich was very strange. I don't think Fergie signed him, I suspect the board made the call.
I remember Smeichel putting the ball into his own net - it happens. And let's not forget the contributions the likes of Bruce & Pallister and then Johnson & Stam made during his legendary time at united. God love ya, Smeichs, when will United followers & media vultures stop beating down our keepers with your memory?
Who will be the next keeper for ManU? Benfica's Moreira is a great young keeper.
No one can ever replace Schmeichel!He was a master at his very best and was just one of the many great Man u players between 94-99.But i feel sorry for Roy Carrol who has been the best keeper since Peter.Howard has made more mistakes than him, last season i think he cost us the Champions league and the Premiership.After the sloppy goal he conceded on the 90th minute against Porto he should of of been droped and never came back! I am a huge Roy carrol fan and feel he should be wearing no.1 now and for some years in the future. But a possible replacement could be Paul Robinson who is Spurs and England no.1 and out of a huge list of replacements he i think would do best.well thats what i think. Probaly many peaple disagree with me, especialy about Roy Carrol.Please e-mail me if you disagree but be kind i'm only 14!!!!!