Robbo To Be Sacrificed?

Last updated : 20 January 2004 By Kevin Markey

England keeper Robinson, 24, looks certain to go if United’s players refuse to accept a 30 per cent pay deferral to stop the club from going into administration.

Acting chairman Trevor Birch has until next Monday to raise the £5m needed to keep The Whites going until the end of the season.

The time scale almost certainly rules out any chance of attracting an immediate buyer, not least because any potential investors are uncertain whether they would be buying a Premiership or Nationwide League club.

Birch insists that allowing any more stars to leave would be a last resort.

He said: “Selling players is the least welcome option. We are trying to keep the squad together to have a chance to survive in the Premiership.

“Whatever we can do to avoid selling a player will be done.”

But Robinson is the most likely to go if Leeds need to buy more time to sort out their financial crisis.

Robinson has become a target for Premiership teams over the past few months.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson looked at Robinson closely before opting for Tim Howard.

Arsene Wenger eventually settled for Germany’s second-string keeper Jens Lehmann after carefully considering him.

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri considered a move for Robinson to provide cover and competition for Carlo Cudicini.

Aston Villa failed with a £2.5m bid for Robinson last August when the move fell through because of the player’s personal terms.

Manchester City have also been linked with him. But, again, the player’s salary put them off.

Now Tottenham caretaker boss David Pleat is poised to bid £2.5m to take Robinson to White Hart Lane.

Spurs could be successful because Robinson is the only player Leeds are in a position to make money on.

Trouble is, Scott Carson is the only other keeper in the squad and he's just been promoted to the Leeds reserve team this season!