Barthez returns to United after Marseille move blocked

Fabien Barthez will return to Manchester United for the last two months of the year after FIFA blocked his loan move to Marseille, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed.

Ferguson said he thought Barthez's proposed move to the French club would still go ahead when the transfer window reopens in January.

"Fabien will be coming back to Manchester," Ferguson said. "He will be back in training. Everything should be okay in January."

The France goalkeeper's agent had earlier told AFP that Marseille directors were considering an appeal over FIFA's decision to block the move.

Barthez had been keen on the move to his former club after falling to third in the goalkeeping pecking order at Old Trafford.

The 32-year-old is desperate for first team football to ensure he remains France's first choice keeper for next summer's Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.

Barthez has two and a half years left on his United contract but his prospects at Old Trafford look bleak following Ferguson's summer signing of American keeper Tim Howard.

Northern Ireland's Roy Carroll has since established himself as Howard's deputy.