Editing Fabien Barthez (section)

===Manchester United===
As a result of Barthez's success in the World Cup and the Euros, he caught the attention of Manchester United manager [[Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson]], who was searching for a star goalkeeper to replace the recently departed [[Peter Schmeichel]], as Ferguson did not think that the previous season's goalkeeper, [[Mark Bosnich]], was a long-term replacement. Barthez joined United for £7.8&nbsp;million in 2000.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/euro2000/teams/france/771367.stm |title=Man Utd confirm Barthez signing |date=31 May 2000 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC }}</ref> He was later reunited with national teammate [[Laurent Blanc]], who joined United in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/1516683.stm |title=Man Utd seal Blanc deal |date=30 August 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC }}</ref> The Barthez–Blanc head-kissing ritual was performed at the start of Champions League matches.<ref name="grado zero"/>

Well known for being eccentric,<ref name="losing">{{cite news |last=Lawton |first=James |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/fabien-barthez-the-goalkeepers-fear-of-losing-it-9271816.html |title=Fabien Barthez: The goalkeeper's fear of losing it |date=27 November 2001 |access-date=2 April 2010 |work=The Independent |publisher=Independent Print |location=London}}</ref> Barthez started out well for Manchester United. His first season was a triumph as he answered all the questions about how he would handle rainy [[Manchester]] compared to sunny [[Monaco]]. Barthez performed brilliantly throughout the season and became a crowd favourite. The fans loved his eccentric behaviour, his taunting dribbles and step-overs past opposing strikers,<ref name="losing"/> and most importantly, his remarkable reaction saves.<ref name="Fergie's men survive Ipswich">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/891902.stm|title=Fergie's men survive Ipswich scare|work=BBC Sport|date=22 August 2000|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Saving grace"/> Very often, it was critical saves that kept United from defeat or dropping valuable points,<ref name="Fergie's men survive Ipswich"/> helping United to the [[2000–01 FA Premier League]] title, their third in a row.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/59013|title=Man Utd win their third consecutive Premier League title and their seventh overall|publisher=www.premierleague.com|date=31 May 2001|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/History/History-By-Decade/History-By-Decade/2014/Oct/manchester-united-history-2000-to-2009.aspx|title=United history: 2000 to 2009|website=ManUtd.com|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121020257/http://www.manutd.com/en/History/History-By-Decade/History-By-Decade/2014/Oct/manchester-united-history-2000-to-2009.aspx|archive-date=21 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A memorable incident happened when Manchester United faced [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] in March 2001. After dropping a cross from [[Robbie Keane]], Barthez deliberately kicked out with his foot at [[Ian Harte]], who fell to the ground on the edge of six yard box, and the referee awarded a penalty to Leeds. Harte stepped up but Barthez made a low, one-handed save to his right.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3000096/Barthez-survives-to-save-United.html |title=Barthez survives to save United |date=3 May 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=The Telegraph |publisher=Telegraph Media Group }}</ref> The only blemish in his first season was his failed attempt at "psyching out" [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]'s [[Paolo Di Canio]] in the [[2000–01 FA Cup|FA Cup]] Fourth Round; Di Canio beat the offside trap, while Barthez stood still with his hand up expecting the referee to blow his whistle, or Di Canio to stop.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1142505.stm |title=Di Canio: Barthez did not fool me |date=29 January 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Di Canio continued and scored the only goal of the game,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1140138.stm |title=Di Canio sinks Man Utd |date=28 January 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Lacey |title=Di Canio takes his chance |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/jan/29/match.sport11 |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=29 January 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 }}</ref> and later said it was "better to score and then see whether the goalkeeper is right or wrong".<ref>{{cite news |title=Di Canio - Barthez didn't confuse my brain |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/jan/29/newsstory.sport7 |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=29 January 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 }}</ref>

The [[2001–02 FA Premier League|2001–02 season]] was split into two parts for him. The first half was tumultuous. The Frenchman seemed to be taking some unnecessary risks outside his penalty area, and his antics began to have consequences that allowed unneeded goals for opposing teams. He was at fault for two goals in a 3–2 home defeat by [[Deportivo de La Coruña]] in October 2001.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3014964/Champions-League-United-exposed-by-Barthez-blunders.html |title=Champions League: United exposed by Barthez blunders |date=17 October 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=The Telegraph |publisher=Telegraph Media Group }}</ref> Ferguson said how "eventually he will get caught out" and it wouldn't happen again.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3015035/Champions-League-Ferguson-gets-tough-on-Barthez.html |title=Champions League: Ferguson gets tough on Barthez |date=18 October 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=The Telegraph |publisher=Telegraph Media Group }}</ref> But another couple of late errors against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in a 3–1 defeat at [[Arsenal Stadium|Highbury]] the following month put much pressure on Barthez, with two goals gifted to [[Thierry Henry]], one of which came from a mis-hit clearance.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1671459.stm |title=Barthez errors gift Arsenal win |date=25 November 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Barthez was at the centre of further controversy when, after already being on a yellow card following an argument with [[Matthew Upson]], he was caught by television cameras raising his middle fingers behind his back towards the Arsenal supporters, who had been taunting him for his errors towards the end of the match; the incident was missed by the referee [[Peter Jones (referee)|Peter Jones]], however.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-defeat-a-disaster-says-ferguson-9175298.html|title=Arsenal defeat 'a disaster', says Ferguson|newspaper=The Independent|author1=Gordon Tynan|date=27 November 2001|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> There was much speculation as to what was the source of Barthez's decline, and critics such as the [[BBC]]'s [[Phil McNulty]] urged him to be dropped.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/1676691.stm |title=Fabien's follies |date=26 November 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Sir Alex Ferguson, however, had faith in his goalkeeper, and stuck by him. Consequently, in the second half of the season, Barthez repaired his reputation with consistent, solid performances and the spectacular saves that he was famous for. His turn in fortunes was shown in a 2–2 draw with [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] at [[Pride Park Stadium|Pride Park]]. Derby forward [[Malcolm Christie]] looked to have sealed his [[List of Premier League hat-tricks|hat-trick]], but referee [[Steve Dunn (referee)|Steve Dunn]] controversially disallowed the goal, ruling that Christie kicked the ball out of Barthez's hands.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1847978.stm |title=Derby thwart Man Utd |date=3 March 2002 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

He was also noted for playing mind games before opposition players took a penalty. The first time this occurred was in November 2001 when [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] came to Old Trafford. As [[Muzzy Izzet]] prepared to take a penalty, Barthez stood aside from the goal, with his hands behind him on the post.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1663008.stm |title=Ferguson strikes back |date=18 November 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Izzet, tired of waiting, slotted the ball in the bottom corner, but referee [[Andy D'Urso]] made him retake the penalty, this time with Barthez in goal. Izzet went the same way, but Barthez denied him with a fine save to his right.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/leicester-city/3016986/Barthez-stunt-foxes-Izzet.html |title=Barthez stunt foxes Izzet |date=17 November 2001 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=The Telegraph |publisher=Telegraph Media Group }}</ref> An almost identical incident happened less than a year later in October 2002, when Barthez was unhappy about the awarding of a penalty to [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], and so went from post to post banging his boots, and refused to be in goal for the penalty. This time he was booked for his antics by referee [[Mike Dean (referee)|Mike Dean]], and so he then took his place between the posts and made it work again by saving [[Steed Malbranque]]'s spot kick.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/oct/21/match.sport11 |title=United survive by playing the joker |date=21 October 2002 |access-date=3 January 2014 |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media }}</ref>

The [[2002–03 FA Premier League|2002–03 season]] ended with another Premier League crown for United.<ref name="Ferguson's best">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/2984545.stm|title=Ferguson's best yet|work=BBC Sport|author1=Howard Nurse|date=4 May 2003|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> The season was a mixed bag for Barthez. One highlight was a fabulous save to deny [[Dietmar Hamann]]'s 30-yard rocket at [[Anfield Stadium|Anfield]] against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], as United held on to win 2–1.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/3038874/Horror-show-for-Dudek.html|title=Horror show for Dudek|newspaper=The Telegraph|author1=Henry Winter|date=2 December 2002|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> In other games, he let goals go past him that he would have been expected to save, and suffered from a run of poor form towards the end of the season.<ref name="Ferguson's best"/> Barthez was also widely criticized in United's exit to [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] in the Champions League, especially for [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]]'s opener which beat him at the near post.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/2971519.stm |title=Ferguson defends decision |date=24 April 2003 |access-date=2 April 2010 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC }}</ref> It would prove to be his last ever game with United as Sir Alex Ferguson's patience had finally run out. Barthez was dropped for the final three games of the season, with [[Roy Carroll]] taking his place.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/2991873.stm|title=Carroll wants number one spot|work=BBC Sport|date=1 May 2003|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2400537/Barthez-doubts-deepen-as-Ferguson-lines-up-Cech.html|title=Barthez doubts deepen as Ferguson lines up Cechanf|newspaper=The Telegraph|author1=Sam Wallace|date=29 April 2003|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref>