FA to investigate Barthez 'gesture' allegations

Fabien Barthez is likely to be asked by the Football Association to explain his alleged gesture to Arsenal fans during Manchester United's defeat at Highbury.

The referee Peter Jones has not mentioned the incident – which involved Barthez allegedly gesticulating behind his back to the home supporters – in his match report.

The FA will now write to the United goalkeeper to seek his version of events. Barthez, whose two late blunders on Sunday gifted Arsenal a 3-1 win, may well be charged with bringing the game into disrepute, but it seems unlikely that he would be suspended.

The Frenchman may receive a warning about his behaviour and at worst a fine. This latest incident is the last thing Barthez needs as the United manager Sir Alex Ferguson ponders whether to keep faith in the goalkeeper for Saturday's match with Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Ferguson has the option of playing the Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll against Chelsea. Carroll's international manager, the former United favourite Sammy McIlroy, believes he would not let anyone down if he did play.

McIlroy has no doubts that the 24-year-old is ready for what would, if picked, be the biggest game of his career against Chelsea.

"Reputation wise, Barthez is the best goalkeeper in the world," he said. "But he is making mistakes and Sir Alex will be looking at him in training to see if there is any adverse reaction.

"He hasn't hesitated in dropping goalkeepers who have made mistakes in the past as the Italian lad [Massimo] Taibi and Mark Bosnich can testify.

"Sir Alex has now got to decide whether to stick with Barthez or give Roy a chance and I know if Roy does play he won't let anyone down.

"He's done well in the games he has played for United and, in the Lille game [in the Champions' League], he made three saves in the first half which kept United in the game.

"On his debut against Aston Villa he did all right, even though he conceded a goal early on. He also did nothing wrong in his other appearances against Sunderland and Arsenal. Sir Alex will know what Roy is capable of. He bought him and he will have assessed him carefully in training.

"Ultimately it is down to Sir Alex, but I have no doubts that Roy can do a great job if Sir Alex turns to him."

Ironically, Carroll remains second choice for McIlroy, despite his £2.5m summer move to United from Wigan. McIlroy dropped Carroll in June and has kept faith with Fulham's Maik Taylor ever since.

McIlroy, though, claims there is little to choose between the pair and he claims that Carroll has improved since going to Old Trafford.

"His attitude has changed 100 per cent," McIlroy said. "When I first took over with Northern Ireland, he didn't like working. But now after every session the hardest thing is to get him off the field. He works really hard now and it is clear the difference going to United has made.

"It's obvious he's listening to what he's being told and he's at the right place to learn. He's got everything now to be a great goalkeeper. He's a good age, got great ability and his attitude has improved."