Kevin Keegan currently has a selection headache, with his two main 'keepers David Seaman and Nicky Weaver both out of action with injuries. Kevin Stuhr-Ellegaard was forced to start for City in their last league fixture, the humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of Leicester City, so the former England manager is desperate to bring in a new shop stopper within the next week or so.

City will need to ask permission from the Football League before any offer could be made for the French international, due to the current closure of the transfer window in the Premiership. Keegan has valid grounds to have his request accepted due to the injuries of two 'keepers.

Barthez is currently training with Olympique Marseille in his home country, following the block of a planned loan-move to the French outfit due to transfer regulations. Barthez will not be allowed to sign for Marseille until January, and therefore might opt to join the boys from the 'council house' stadium should the opportunity arise.

However, the move would obviously not be a popular one with the United faithful. Helping arch-rivals City is never a good thing! The club may see the move differently though, as it would give Barthez some much needed first team action.

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