Forgotten Manchester United goalkeeper Ricardo intends to post a reminder to Sir Alex Ferguson in the Vodafone Cup next week.
The Reds boss had planned to play the Spaniard in Philadelphia last Wednesday against Celtic. Roy Carroll played in Chicago against Bayern Munich and Tim Howard was earmarked for one match in his home city against AC Milan today.
But the reaction from the American public towards United's team selection forced Fergie into a rethink and he played Howard in Philly, plus today's match in the Giants Stadium, putting Ricardo's outing on ice.
The Spaniard could now play against PSV Eindhoven or Urawa Red Diamonds next week. Whichever game he is picked for, it will be the 32-year-old's first senior Reds match since April 2003 when he came on as a sub against Blackburn for Fabien Barthez at Old Trafford.
The August 2002 £2.5m signing from Real Valladolid only made five appearances in his debut season and the arrival of Howard last summer from New York MetroStars forced him further down the pecking order.
Ricardo went back to La Liga for a season-long loan at Racing Santander. But he has returned to United determined to put pressure on Howard and Roy Carroll.
"I always believe that I am capable of being the number one," he said.
"I believe in myself. I have worked hard all my life to get to this position at a club like Manchester United and I am not going to drop my hands and give up. I am going to fight for my place. I won't give in" |