Barthez back to his best, says Ferguson

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

The Frenchman’s Old Trafford future was the subject of much speculation over the summer and he was tipped to be ditched after a series of high-profile blunders. Barthez survived, only for the injury frustrations which have blighted his time at United to return, a hip problem suffered in pre-season forcing him out of the opening five games.

However, the 31-year-old has been an ever-present since, and while his controversial delaying tactics hit the headlines at Fulham at the weekend, his eventual penalty save from Steed Malbranque was a throwback to the form which turned him into a world and European champion.