Barthez may be out for month

Fabien Barthez could miss the first month of Manchester United's season after tests showed his hip injury was more serious than first thought. Barthez was a notable absentee as Alex Ferguson's players arrived in Hungary for tonight's Champions League qualifier against Zalaegerszegi, with Roy Carroll handed the chance for his longest run in the team since joining the club from Wigan Athletic.

Ferguson hopes that Barthez could be back "within three weeks" but he is already seeking another goalkeeper before the transfer deadline of August 31st. "If Barthez were not to make a quick recovery, I would have to think about that," he said.

Raimond van der Gouw and Paul Rachubka both left Old Trafford over the summer and Ben Williams, a 19-year-old Mancunian, is now the club's third-choice goalkeeper. He will be on the substitutes' bench for a United side with injury problems in defence too.

Republic of Ireland under-21 captain John O'Shea will replace Rio Ferdinand, whose twisted ankle also makes him highly unlikely to figure in United's first Premiership match of the season. And Gary Neville will be out for another month at least with the broken bone that ruled him out of the World Cup.

"Physically, John was very immature last year but he has got stronger and made a big improvement," said Ferguson. "He will turn into a very good player."

Ferguson admitted that he "hardly knew anything" about United's opponents, who won the Hungarian title for the first time last season, having never previously finished in the top two in their 82-year history.

Meanwhile, David Beckham has admitted he must raise his game if he is to avoid being dumped from the Manchester United line-up. The England captain said the entire Old Trafford squad need to raise their level of performance to avoid a repeat of last season's trophyless campaign.

Beckham had difficulties of his own last term, when he was rested by Alex Ferguson after virtually carrying England through the final stages of their World Cup qualifying programme, then battling through fitness problems when he eventually got to the Far East.

But now, if still not quite 100 per cent, he is raring to go and eager to forget the memories of the previous 12 months.

"Each year you have to take your performances to another level," he said.

"Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world and if you don't raise the bar every season you don't get into the team."

It is one of the ironies of the Champions League format that in order to make it to the group stages, the title winners in one country must face a team who could do no better than finish third in their own league.

The situation is working in United's favour and they enter the tie as huge favourites against a team not only embarking on their first European adventure but one who also have to entertain United 250km from home in the Hungarian capital because their own stadium is under reconstruction.

Zala also face the prospect of becoming virtually the away team. United's squad were welcomed into the country by over 1,000 autograph hunters at the airport.

A 28,000 sell-out is guaranteed at the Ferenc Puskas - formerly Nep - Stadium.

Guardian Service