Chelsea signed Manchester United keeper Mark Bosnich on a free transfer this afternoon. Bosnich's United nightmare finally came to an end today when the champions terminated his contract. The Blues snapped up the Aussie within a few hours of Bosnich being released, increasing speculation that Dutchman Ed de Goey is on his way out of Stamford Bridge.
The former Aston Villa man’s miserable tenure at Old Trafford concluded in humiliating circumstances, with United announcing the end of their two year relationship in a brief statement which read: “Manchester United can confirm that we have terminated Mark Bosnich's contract by mutual consent and, in doing so, we wish him well for the future.”
The Australian, who had been hailed as a natural successor to Great Dane Peter Schmeichel, has struggled with consistency and injuries throughout his time at Old Trafford, with many of his stuttering performances characterised by embarrassing howlers. Bosnich arrived on a free from Villa in a blaze of publicity, with a reputation as one of Europe’s top keepers.
He got off to the worst possible start with a hamstring injury in only his third game, and with Alex Ferguson’s signing of Massimo Taibi, it looked as if the Old Trafford supremo was having his doubts. But Taibi’s spectacularly poor form in just four games persuaded Ferguson to give him a recall, and although he survived until February, a poor display at Wimbledon tested Fergie’s patience once again.
Later that season he regained his place, performing well in vital games including an excellent display in the goalless draw against Real Madrid, before he was injured against Sunderland in April. That proved to be his last match of the season and he ended the campaign claiming he had answered his critics.
But Ferguson was still not happy, and at the end of May he bought Fabien Barthez in a £7.8million move from Monaco. Barthez was installed as United's new number one and Bosnich slipped to third choice when he was left out of the team's mini pre-season tour of Germany and Malta. Bosnich's departure means the United keeper's pecking order is now Barthez, followed by 37-year-old van der Gouw, with American-born Paul Rachubka next in line. Youngster Nicky Culkin is currently on loan at Bristol City.
Filed by Seán Folan
