SIR Alex Ferguson is banking on York City goalkeeper Alan Fettis to enjoy a season of many blank returns.

The Manchester United boss hailed the performance of the Northern Ireland international as outstanding after Saturday's pre-season friendly at Bootham Crescent.

Despite United running out comfortable 2-0 winners courtesy of two second-half goals from Roy Keane, the scoreline could have been worse for City but for a string of stunning saves by the former Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers 'keeper.

Fettis, 29, who finally put pen to paper on a new Bootham Crescent contract last month, earned a standing ovation from the 9,003 crowd when he was substituted for Russ Howarth 15 minutes from time.

And leading the applause was Sir Alex.

The United boss, who this summer paid a record £7.8million for France's World Cup and Euro 2000 winning goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, said: "I thought he was brilliant and 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 from Blackburn Rovers.

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

The United chief, who took a watching brief from the stands on Saturday, said pre-season matches against teams like York City were always a worthwhile venture, even for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"It is good to play these sort of games now and again," he said.

"We have a lot of fans on this side of the country who maybe don't get a chance to see us.

"It gives the smaller teams a lift and York have got a great crowd which they will be pleased about.

"We have a good relationship with York. We have bought a couple of players from them in recent years in Jonathan Greening and Nick Culkin so there is a good atmosphere among the two parties."

Neither player took part on Saturday - Culkin has started a season-long loan with Bristol Rovers while Greening was unable to play because his girlfriend had gone into labour.

Sir Alex said he was delighted with the commitment shown from his star-studded side in their first outing of pre-season.

"In pre-season games you cannot afford to take your foot of the pedal. That's why you have them, to get a good work out," he explained.

"My players have trained very hard and they deserve to start playing now.

"The important thing was to get a game behind us. I have no injuries, the match was played at a nice tempo, there was a good atmosphere amongst the players and I thought the referee was good."

The United chief was quick to put an end to speculation linking David Beckham with massive money moves abroad to Barcelona, Lazio or AC Milan.

"Nobody is for sale at our club," he said.

City certainly did better than Third Division rivals Shrewsbury Town who were beaten 8-1 by a Manchester United XI yesterday.

Dolan's men are back in action against Premiership oposition tomorrow when Middlesbrough are at Bootham Crescent for Wayne Hall's Testimonial game (7.45pm).

PICTURE: SHOT STOPPER: York City goalkeeper Alan Fettis makes a brilliant save to deny Ryan Giggs (hiddden) as Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke (left) closes in