Back-up keeper [Archive]

ttrevett

18 Jul 2003, 06:53 PM

I have no dreams of Howard starting the season as first choice keeper, but to the true Man Utd pundits out there, whom do you think will be the back-up early in the year. What is the feeling in Manchester after the signing of Howard? Is there talk about bitterness from the other two keepers after his signing?

ManUtd R16

18 Jul 2003, 08:45 PM

As someone mentioned earlied, one of the goalies have to go. If Barthez stays, then I do agree with ttrevett that Howard will not be the first choice keeper as I believe Barthez still has the class and edge over any other. But in this case I feel that it would be a terrible waste of talent in Tim Howard, and more so for Carroll, who is certain to go even further behind in the packing order. (Some of you may disagree with me about Carroll, but I think it's safe to say Howard didn't come to United to be the 3rd choice keeper, not when he used to MVP back home. I think he must've gotten some sort of assurance of that before he agreed the move.) Right now I'm not too worried about who'll end up being first choice keeper because whoever he is, we've got a quality goalkeeper.

Lancashire Lad

19 Jul 2003, 10:04 AM

Hopefully Luke will not be forgotten. Ricardo doesnt look like a good buy. My list is

1, Fab
2, Carroll
3, Howard
4, Steele

I have to put Howard behind Carroll having only watched him play briefly recently. Carroll has also got the experience in the premiership.

sch2383

19 Jul 2003, 12:52 PM

I would put my money on Howard being #2 to start the season. But when Fabien does something stupid or gets hurt, or hurts himself doing something stupid, (all likely), Tim will step up and not let go of the starting spot.

sch2383

19 Jul 2003, 01:16 PM

In the soccernet story about Dinho going to Barca

And, in an intriguing twist to the saga, it emerged that United offered goalkeeper Fabien Barthez in their original offer for the 23-year-old playmaker.

prk166

19 Jul 2003, 01:25 PM

If Barthez has been offered, it makes you wonder. Although I'm not so sure what to believe and not to believe coming out of PSG these days.

sch2383

19 Jul 2003, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by prk166
If Barthez has been offered, it makes you wonder. Although I'm not so sure what to believe and not to believe coming out of PSG these days.

It didn't say who the Barthez part emerged from.

ManUtd R16

19 Jul 2003, 01:34 PM

I'm not surprised that Barthez was offered to PSG. In a way, I think this is like the perfect deal: Ronaldinho comes to United, Barthez goes back to France to end his on-field career at home, Howard and Carroll compete to become the United No. 1.

Though this deal has been ruined, one of the goalkeepers will still leave. This is for the best of his own career.

DaeHaMinGuk

19 Jul 2003, 01:50 PM

Howard is light years ahead of Barthez.

Motterman

19 Jul 2003, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by DaeHaMinGuk
Howard is light years ahead of Barthez.

In physicality, yes. In area presence, yes. In experience, no way.

wtj3

20 Jul 2003, 03:15 AM

I am certainly no Barthez fanboy, but to mention that Tim Howard is light years ahead is idiotic. While Barthez's career is coming to a close, one cannot argue with the championships that he has won. If Howard wins a fraction of that, he will be a success.

Lancashire Lad

20 Jul 2003, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by wtj3
I am certainly no Barthez fanboy, but to mention that Tim Howard is light years ahead is idiotic. While Barthez's career is coming to a close, one cannot argue with the championships that he has won. If Howard wins a fraction of that, he will be a success.

And World Cup Medal