PREMIERSHIP champions Manchester United are rumoured to have cast their eye over York City number one Alan Fettis.

United's chief scout Mick Brown was a notable spectator at Bootham Crescent as the Minstermen's unbeaten run was ended by Plymouth Argyle.

Just who Brown, a former United assistant boss, was watching is not known - but sources close to Old Trafford maintain goalkeeper Fettis was possibly the focus of his attention.

York City chief Terry Dolan expressed surprise at the speculation and insisted Fettis, who still has more than two years of his current City deal to run, is very much part of his long-term plans.

"He is certainly playing well enough but I do not see there is anything in it," he said.

However, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could be in the market for an experienced understudy to French World Cup winner Fabien Barthez if Raimond Van der Gouw quits Old Trafford in the summer.

United have opened contract talks with the veteran goalkeeper with a view to extending his current deal for another year.

Van der Gouw, recovering from a cartilage operation, has to decide whether to take up United's offer or pursue an ambition to play in America.

Last month Sir Alex snapped up former Rangers and Scotland 'keeper Andy Goram on a loan deal from Motherwell as cover for the injured Barthez and Van der Gouw.

However, there is little chance of Goram's United career being extended beyond this season.

That would leave Paul Rachubka and former City junior Nick Culkin in reserve should Van Der Gouw quit United in the summer.

Californian-born Rachubka made his Premiership bow in United's 2-0 win over Leicester in March but doesn't turn 20 until next month.

Culkin has spent this season on loan at Bristol Rovers and while that experience will stand him in good stead for the future he is still only 22 years of age.

In the past, Sir Alex has favoured goalkeepers with experience, epitomised by his signing of Van der Gouw and then Goram.

Van der Gouw, now 38, arrived from Vitesse Arnhem happy to provide back-up for Danish international Peter Schmeichel and knowing his first-team opportunities would be limited.

Significantly, Van der Gouw was 33-years-old when he arrived at Old Trafford, replacing another veteran, Tony Coton, as second choice.

Fettis has just turned 30-years-old and has experience of the big stage having been capped 25 times by Northern Ireland as well as his days in the PremierLleague during his lengthy stint with Blackburn Rovers.

And Sir Alex is fully aware of the City's goalkeeper's talent.

Speaking after the pre-season friendly between United and City last year, the United supremo hailed Fettis's display in that 2-0 defeat for York.

Said Sir Alex: "I thought he was brilliant.

"It was a marvellous performance.

"I have always liked the lad, he has had a good career and I think York are very fortunate to have got him.

"He has got the experience, he has played for his country and I think he will do tremendously well for York."

Ironically that friendly at Bootham Crescent was arranged as part of the deal that took then teenage Culkin to Old Trafford in 1995.

City intermediates maintained their unbeaten start to their Youth Alliance Merit Division (northern section) Division One campaign after a 0-0 draw with Stockport County.

With six members of the club's under-16 team playing, assistant youth coach Brian Neaves admitted a scoreless stalemate was a good result in the circumstances.

Updated: 10:52 Saturday, April 07, 2001