Barthez still No 1

FABIEN BARTHEZ will remain France’s first-choice goal keeper despite his uncertain future at Manchester United.

That was the message from France coach Jacques Santini yesterday as he named Barthez in his squad for the friendly against Switzerland on August 20.

Santini will pick Barthez ahead of Lyon’s Gregory Coupet, and has complete faith in the keeper who was a member of France’s triumphant teams at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championships.