Forgotten Ricardo Baffled

By Chris O'Brien
March 29 2005

Ricardo has been left stunned that he has not been given the chance to solve the goalkeeping crisis at the Theatre of Dreams, which has been deemed one of the most contributing factors to United's disappointing season in the Premiership and on the European front.

Manchester United's forgotten shot-stopper Ricardo has been left stunned that he has not been given the chance to solve the goalkeeping crisis at the Theatre of Dreams, which has been deemed one of the most contributing factors to United's disappointing season in the Premiership and on the European front.

Sir Alex Ferguson raised a few eyebrows when he splashed out £1.5million on the relatively unknown Ricardo in the summer of 2002. Yet, despite spending this hefty fee on the 'keeper, the Spaniard has been handed only one Premiership appearance in his three years in Lancashire and a chance to shine in the Red Devils jersey now looks highly unlikely.

Ricardo's contract is up at the end of the season and it seems certain he will now leave on a free transfer, following Roy Carroll out of the exit door. Rumours suggest Tim Howard could also leave at the end of the season, leaving United without a 'keeper. The rumour mill has churned out a number of top names linked with the supposed vacant number one slot at Old Trafford, and transfer activity in this department seems certain over the summer.

"My situation is not logical," said Ricardo. "I know I am a good keeper - I have played for Spain four times. I don't think Alex Ferguson doesn't believe in me. He has never told me that. But he has selected other keepers and I don't know why."

It does seem strange that with both Howard and Carroll taking the critics this season, Ricardo has not even been tested. Still, after years of uncertainty since the departure of Peter Schmichel, we are set for yet more twists and turns for next season. Who will join the long list of names since the departure of the Big Dane? Raimond Van Der Gouw, Mark Bosnich, Massimo Taibi, Paul Rachubka, Andy Goram and Fabien Barthez to name but a few of those unable to fill his mammoth gloves!