Barthez hurt by clown tag

Manchester United's French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez says he does not want to be remembered as a clown.

The French World Cup-winner endured nationwide ridicule last season as he produced a couple of high-profile howlers and from being the most respected stopper in the game, he was suddenly a figure of fun.

"The expression 'clown' has been used about me and I know people talk about my eccentricities," the 30-year-old said Friday.

"People came to my house trying to get me to wear things to look like a clown, so they could take pictures. It was not very nice.

"At that time I needed the support of people around me at the club."

He said manager Alex Ferguson, goalkeeping coach Tony Coton and the other players helped him through.

"No matter how strong you are, you need that kind of support," he added

Now, as he looks forward to Sunday's League Cup final against Liverpool, he is vowing to make sure fans remember him only for being the very best at his profession.

"When I leave, I want to be remembered at this club as a man and a good goalkeeper, rather than as an eccentric player who spent all his time running out of the box and going up for corners," Barthez added.

Yet despite the criticism he has received, Barthez will not be changing his style from the one which, at times, has the manager and the United fans on the edge of their seats with nerves rather than excitement.

"I don't do these things just to show off, you know. I need to do it. It is part of my game and I can't do otherwise," he said.

"If I dribble the ball out of the box, it is because I feel it's better for the team."

The flamboyant shot-stopper, son of a first-class rugby player, began his career with Toulouse before joining Marseille in 1992 and won the European Cup in 1993.

Seeking a fresh challenge he joined Monaco in 1995, but was soon embroiled in controversy after testing positive for cannabis.

He was suspended for four months but returned and helped Monaco win the French championship in 1997.

In 2000 Barthez won his second championship with Monaco but United signed him for a record 7.8 million pounds after he was involved in a row with Monaco.

He needed time to fill the shoes of Peter Schmeichel but his high-wire antics and eccentric skills have made him an Old Trafford favourite.

It is not surprising Barthez will have some sympathy with opposite number Jerzy Dudek when they walk out at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.