Alex Ferguson's restoration work at Manchester United began yesterday when Roy Carroll was informed the offer of a new contract was being withdrawn and that he would be leaving the club.
The decision will come as little surprise to United's supporters after a season in which Carroll has made high-profile errors, notably against AC Milan in the Champions League and the goal-that-never-was against Tottenham when he spilled Pedro Mendes's up-and-under over the line.
However, there was an element of mystery attached to the announcement, coming just four days after Carroll's agent Francis Martin declared a new deal should be "finalised and signed before Roy goes on holiday at the end of the week". Rangers are among those already being linked with Carroll. Ferguson will now instruct his brother, Martin, the club's chief scout, to help him find a new goalkeeper.
Tim Howard, the US international, signed a two-year extension to his contract this month but Ricardo Lopez, their third-choice goalkeeper, was also released yesterday, having made only a handful of starts in his two years at the club. Paul Tierney (22), who has been capped at under-21 level for the Republic of Ireland, was also released by the club yesterday.
That leaves Ferguson with only one senior goalkeeper. If Malcolm Glazer is true to his word, Ferguson should have around £20 million to spend and he wants a new goalkeeper, a central midfielder and a striker. Shay Given of Newcastle has already been mentioned.
Bolton's chairman Phil Gartside is "90 per cent confident" of signing Liverpool's £11 million misfit El Hadji Diouf. "I am 90 per cent confident of doing a deal with him," Gartside said. "We've got a few small details to iron out with Liverpool and it's a question of keeping the pay structure right with the player himself.
"El Hadji is away in Senegal preparing for World Cup qualifiers so we are not face-to-face with him and talks have to be done through his agent."
Crystal Palace have agreed a £1.5 million fee with Millwall for their centre-back Darren Ward.
Tony Adams may work on Feyenoord's coaching staff next season. The former Wycombe manager has visited the Dutch club and has been offered work experience.
"He was here a couple of times already and he became enthusiastic," said the youth programme coordinator Henk van Stee.
Guardian Service
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday (3.0 unless stated): International friendly: USA v England (at Soldier Field) (8.06) English Football League Two: Play-Off Final - Lincoln City v Southend (at Millennium Stadium) Scottish Cup Final: Celtic v Dundee Utd. Four Nations Tournament: Rep of Ireland semi-professional (SP) v Wales SP; England National Game XI v Scotland SP.
Sunday's soccer fixtures (3.0 unless stated): Testimonial: Celtic v Republic of Ireland. International Friendly: Poland v Albania (4.30). English Football League One: Play-Off Final - Hartlepool v Sheff Wed (at Millennium Stadium).
