Manchester United interest in US GK Tim Howard

[juventusita]

Man Utd interested in US keeper?


Manchester United are understood to be interested in signing Tim Howard, the 24-year-old goalkeeper of Major League Soccer outfit the New Jersey MetroStars.

United reportedly first made contact with the MetroStars in March requesting that Howard fly to England to train with the club, but were rebuffed and had to settle with videotape footage of the promising youngster.

At the time Metrostars coach Nick Sakiewicz said that Howard would have his blessing to go if a contract were offered, while Howard himself said: 'You dream about things like this,' and called United 'The biggest sports team in world history'.

United's interest in Howard is believed to have been cemented following his clean-sheet performance for the US national team in the 0-0 draw against Mexico in Houston on May 8.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could see Howard as an understudy to ageing French international Fabien Barthez or possibly as a straight replacement for the 32-year-old ahead of the club's two other keepers Roy Carroll and Lopez Felipe Ricardo who failed to convince when they played last season.

Most United fans probably don't really know who Tim Howard is, so as an American and fan of his, let me just give you my opinion:

Tim Howard has the potential to become better than Friedel and is only 24 years old. His reflexes and quickness are already among the best in the world. Right now, I rate him higher than Kasey Keller and not too far below Friedel. Should he move to United, not only could he make an immediate impact and become a crowd favorite with his incredible, impossible saves, but he could become the best goalkeeper in the world within 4 years.

The only stumbling block is the fact that the MLS, who owns all MLS players, might ask for too much because he is one of the MLS' prominent figures. Hopefully they will not do what they did with McBride (Everton) and not let him leave.

 

[Bobby]

I don't want him to go.

1) I hate Man Utd

2) Ferguson wouldn't let him play on the NT.

 

[voetballiefhebb]

Would he not have problems getting a work permit?

 

[ryan_goal]

what, the player is owned by the league but the club?!

 

[taptone]

yea the league owns the player. the mls is crazy like that. the player signs a contract with the league, i dont really know how long they know to stay at 1 team.

on another note, ive watched howard play, hes a good goalie. why is manchester in search of a new goalie? dont they have barthez and that irish/english guy i think

 

[tottiiii]

barthez is trash , thats why

 

[MisH*The*Manc]

Doesn't he have touretts?

From what I've read about this guy he sounds better than Barthez

 

[Bobby]

He is better than Barthez..he'd rank in the top 6 of EPL keepers.

 

[voetballiefhebb]

Originally posted by taptone
irish/english

American/French.



Anyways, you completely cocked it up mate. He's neither English or Irish. He's Northern Irish.

 

[GrObArCiNa]

Originally posted by voetballiefhebb


....cocked...

lol anyway... i saw howard at that game USA-Mexico.. and he was pretty good. he does have amazing reflexes and has skill but u have to think about it up till now hes been playing in MLS and not to diss American soccer, but Europe is an entirely different universe... a completely higher level. I would love to see him go to ManU so i could see how he does against real competition cause he does have the skill. but then again he could just crumble under the pressure...

 

[tottiiii]

Originally posted by GrObArCiNa
lol anyway... i saw howard at that game USA-Mexico.. and he was pretty good. he does have amazing reflexes and has skill but u have to think about it up till now hes been playing in MLS and not to diss American soccer Europe is an entirely different universe... a completely higher level. I would love to see him go to ManU so i could see how he does against real competition cause he does have the skill. but then again he could just crumble under the pressure...

you summed it up exactly right.....but he should at least go to europe as soon as possible i think....hes gonna go their sometime in his career so he should go now

 

[Help?]

I think United should definetly buy him. I saw him play for NY Metrostars yesterday on a replay game and i have to say. His reflexes are great and quick! But the thing i really noticed is that he was kicking the ball almost to the opposite penalty area every time! He could be getting whole bunch of assists like that! I still don't understand 3 things: 1)Is the field in US smaller than in europe 2)is the ball softer and lighter than in europe 3) or Tim Howard really kicks it that hard, because it was a hell of a kicks he was doing even from the goal kicks the ball was getting to the opposing edge of the area! If he comes to United. Barthez will play for 2-3 years woth Howard as a back-up and starter sometimes, and after 2 years he will become a starter. But then again it sux for a hard working Caroll .

 

[Caponedawg]

I think European pitches are wider than American pitches. The majority of our MLS teams play on NFL fields so the dimensions are skewed. HOwever CMGI Field and the new LA Galaxy and Dallas Burn facilities are/will be ideal soccer facilities.

 

[taptone]

Originally posted by voetballiefhebb
American/French.



Anyways, you completely cocked it up mate. He's neither English or Irish. He's Northern Irish.

Im terribly sorry. but i dont follow Man U to much, and remember hearing the name of the goal keeper and took a stab at where he was from.

 

[PScott]

Tim Howard does have touretts(sp?) and he is very active in the ny/nj area when it comes to helping others with the problem.

His mother is Hungarian and while Hungary does not have EU status it most likely will beginning in 2004. Its believed that howard will be able to get a passport this way.

If the replay match you saw was the Metrostars v Columbus, then that field is not much smaller than fields/pithces in Europe. Other MLS fields however are sometimes smaller than European ones.

Lets see what else...

Oh yeah. That whole hes only played in MLS thing. Well hes gotta start somewhere right. What better place than that rinky dink club in Manchester. I hear they do alright. Seriously though. I dont think he'd be going over there to be the no.1 keeper right off the bat, so that would give him time to get used to whatever it is he needs to get used to to do whatever he needs to do.

All that said i dont think this is gonna happen. As good as it sounds for Howard, i just get this feeling that something is gonna get f'ed up and he's gonna be in MLS a while longer re: beasley and mathis..

 

[Amika]

Brad Fridel is better or this tim howard?

 

[shokz]

Wow, what a coincidence... I signed this guy in CM4 the last time I was Man Utd, now Manchester Utd are interested in him IRL?..

Weird =).

(Friedal, Keller, Howard). American GK's are good.

 

[dude_21]

hey hey calm down
Man U Rulez man !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Champions Champions

but i herd that Fergi is discussing the movement of Ronhaldinio to Man U
wouldnt that be kewl !?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[Caponedawg]

Originally posted by dude_21
hey hey calm down
Man U Rulez man !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Champions Champions

but i herd that Fergi is discussing the movement of Ronhaldinio to Man U
wouldnt that be kewl !?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[Hans]

Originally posted by shokz
Wow, what a coincidence... I signed this guy in CM4 the last time I was Man Utd, now Manchester Utd are interested in him IRL?..

Weird =).

(Friedal, Keller, Howard). American GK's are good.

I also transfered Veron in CM2. In CM3 I bought Ronaldinho in 2003/2004, and van der Vaart the next season, hope it will come true too