FRANCE’S third-choice goalkeeper Mickael Landreau claims he is not taking sides in the rift between first-choice Fabien Barthez and number two Gregory Coupet, but admits Les Bleus are still talking about it.

France’s third-choice goalkeeper Mickael Landreau claims he is not taking sides in the rift between first-choice Fabien Barthez and number two Gregory Coupet but admits Les Bleus are still talking about it.

Lions lock Paul O’Connell has stoked up Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship showdown with France by warning Ireland they must start realising their potential.

FRANCE coach Bernard Laporte has his sights set on glory in this year’s RBS 6 Nations before looking ahead to making the most of home advantage at the 2007 World Cup.

France’s World Cup-winning coach Aime Jacquet has declared “the beautiful adventure” which saw Les Bleus dominate international football over.

France defender Mikael Silvestre has admitted his surprise at escaping a red card for the foul on Wayne Rooney which led to David Beckham’s costly Euro 2004 penalty miss.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has told his England team that they cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves if they hope to recover from their Euro 2004 setback at the hands of France.

Roy Carroll has vowed to see out the final year of his Manchester United contract in an effort to grab the Old Trafford number one slot.

England coach Clive Woodward has already decided who will fill the boots of Jonny Wilkinson – but will wait for the weekend’s medical bulletins before unveiling the identity of his fly-half.

MANCHESTER UNITED are not seeking and do not need a billionaire backer like Roman Abramovich, chief executive David Gill said yesterday.

Alex Ferguson confirmed today that he has given permission to talk to Marseille about a loan move.

Fabien Barthez looks increasingly likely to return to former club Marseille in a bid to get regular first-team football.

FABIEN BARTHEZ remains coach Jacques Santini’s first-choice goalkeeper for France’s Euro 2004 Group One qualifier against Cyprus on Saturday, despite his lack of match practice.

MIKAEL SILVESTRE believes his central defensive partnership with Rio Ferdinand can provide the platform for more Manchester United title success this season.

Fabien Barthez remains France’s first-choice goalkeeper despite uncertainty surrounding his future at Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson says he has an open mind on the goalkeeping situation at Old Trafford.

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OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has hailed Fabien Barthez as ‘the best goalkeeper in the world’ after his brilliant display against Aston Villa on Saturday.

World Cup veteran Laurent Blanc will only have a watching brief when Manchester United face Basle in the Champions League on Wednesday as he is planning to retire at the end of the season.

BAFFLED French coach Bernard Laporte claimed yesterday that one reason for his side’s slide from Grand Slam champions to also-rans was the lack of leadership displayed by his senior players.

RAPHAEL IBANEZ has called on his French colleagues to get their heads right for the Six Nations clash with Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, because he believes more mental preparation will have to go into this match than any other this season.

FRANCE will try to make up for the absence of injured Fabien Galthie with a Lansdowne Road double act — Fabien Pelous taking over as captain and Dimitri Yachvili as playmaker for Saturday’s Six Nations game against Ireland.

FRANCE captain Fabien Galthie has been forced to pull out of the Six Nations clash with Ireland after dislocating a shoulder.

ALEX FERGUSON believes eccentric goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is back to his best.

Ryan Giggs refuses to entertain the thought of defeat as Manchester United attempt to save their Champions League skins at Old Trafford tonight.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan will send his team into battle in Paris more in hope than expectation of wrecking France’s Grand Slam dream.

Supermarket Tesco said today they would approach Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez to advertise its own label butter.

Roy Keane says the whole team must take responsibility for the defeat at Arsenal - and not leave Fabien Barthez to shoulder the blame.

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that referee Andy D'Urso made a mistake over Leicester's missed penalty.

Fabien Barthez could miss France's friendly against Australia next month - and jeopardise his international career.

Manchester United will wait and see if Fabien Barthez or Raimond van der Gouw can recover from injury before registering Andy Goram for the Champions League.

Alex Ferguson is awaiting the outcome of a scan on Fabien Barthez's injured thigh.