Barthez offloaded as Fergie faces FA rap
But the Premiership champions denied any deal has been completed after the French club claimed they had sealed an agreement to take their former player on loan for the rest of the season, subject to FIFA approval.
"We are in discussions with Marseille but no final agreement has been reached," said a United spokesman last night.
The move for the 32-year- old France international would have to be ratified by world governing body FIFA as it is outside the transfer window. But Marseille's official website claimed the transfer should be completed by the weekend.
Barthez has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the summer signing of American Tim Howard and Marseille general manager, Philippe Piola, was in England yesterday to set up the deal to take Barthez back to the club he helped win the 1993 European Cup.
A statement on the club's website, www.olympiquedemarseille.com said: "The signature of the contracts should be carried out by the weekend. This one is related to the approval of the FIFA."
Marseille need a keeper to cover for injured reserve Cedric Carasso.
Barthez, 32, joined United for stg£7.8million in the summer of 2000 as Sir Alex Ferguson sought to fill the void left by the departure of legendary Danish keeper Peter Schmeichel. After helping France add the Euro 2000 title to their 1998 World Cup victory, he signed a six-year contract at Old Trafford.
But his eccentric style eventually saw Ferguson run out of patience and he was dropped towards the end of last season.
Meanwhile Alex Ferguson will appear before a FA disciplinary hearing on Monday to answer misconduct charges.
The United manager elected to have a personal hearing after being charged with two separate counts, one relating generally to alleged 'improper conduct' and the other specifically to claims that he used abusive language to the fourth official, during the Red Devils' match at Newcastle on August 23.
Ferguson faces a touchline ban or a heavy fine if found guilty of the charges which were brought after his tirade against fourth official Jeff Winter and referee Uriah Rennie.
If he is found guilty, Ferguson's previous good conduct will be taken into account although the FA would take a dim view if it is proved Ferguson labelled any of the officials as "cheats".
Ferguson was captured on television delivering an angry verbal volley at Winter after referee Rennie had already ordered the Scot from the St James' Park touchline.
Ferguson was furious at Rennie's failure to award a free-kick and send off Andy O'Brien after the Newcastle defender's challenge on Ryan Giggs when he was clear on goal.
He was seen to kick a ball away in anger.
Winter called Rennie to the touchline to inform him of Ferguson's comments and the referee then ordered him out of the dug-out. As he was making his way down the tunnel, Ferguson launched another volley of abuse at Winter.
Meanwhile Everton deputy chairman Bill Kenwright has moved swiftly to kill off speculation that England star Wayne Rooney is set to leave Goodison Park.
The 17-year-old has been linked with a stg£35million move to Chelsea, who have also denied they are lining up a move for the striker.
"Wayne Rooney is going nowhere," Kenwright said. "David Moyes and I sing from the same hymn sheet and always said any club would have to pay a king's ransom for a player like Rooney.
"A talent like Wayne's comes along once in a lifetime. We are only concerned at his progress in the blue shirt of Everton. He's a blue and wants to remain a blue."
Toffees manager David Moyes was in complete agreement and told the club's official website, www.evertonfc.com: "The story is complete rubbish.
"As people know, when I joined the club, I made it clear to the board that if they haven't got the money to spend, then don't give me any but do not take away my best players."
Chelsea's acting chief executive, Paul Smith, said: "We've not spoken to Everton about any of their players and it's not a question of negotiating.
"It's too far from the transfer window to get on with the job of compiling our target list. No-one is included and no-one is excluded, as it's far too premature."
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