Manchester United have captured their first summer signing after completing a £1.5million deal for USA keeper Tim Howard. Howard's arrival will cast the future of current keeper, Fabien Barthez, into further doubt after a mercurial season between the posts. The gallic flare and occasional wild blunder has been the cause of great consternation for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Barthez' place in the starting line-up may well be under threat. Howard, 24, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for the last six months after impressing scouts in the NY-NJ league. He will be unveiled to fans next month. Despite holding a Hungarian passport, Howard chose to play for the USA national side and will play in goal on Thursday night against Turkey in the Confederations Cup in France. And USA boss Bruce Arena is confident that his keeper will make a marked impression when he arrives at the Premier League champions. Arena said: Tim is an outstanding athlete, a great shot stopper and is very quick coming off his line. He's got the full package." http://msn.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,1860-1094552,00.html http://www.talkmanutd.com
DOn't they always have to spin it that way. Has Tim ever been near Hungary in his life? When was the last time Hungary qualified for a WC? That little comment really pi$$es me of!
Most people from the us know more about this lad, is he really good enough for a big club like manchester united?
I think sky sports must think he's Hungarian. I don't take that comment to mean "how could he choose to play for the U.S. over Hungary?". I think they're saying, "he's got a Hungarian passport, why is he playing for the U.S.?"
Also, I think that the manager of the US national team has said that Howard is a more talented keeper now than Friedel was at the same age.
yeh true but you have to remember when friedel was at liverpool, he was awful. The amount of errors he used to make but since he joined blackburn he has become the best keeper in the premiership.
Not nearly as much as we are. If Berhalter plays, Howard will have his hands full. He's the real deal. He lacks nothing except experience. It will be interesting how ManU goes about getting him that experience. If ManU throws him in at the deep end, I'd bet he'd be able to swim, but it remains to be seen whether they'll do that. Terriffic athlete, lightning quick off his line. Position a bit shaky only occassionally (his quickness usually rescues him though). Boots it far (occassionally concedes goal kicks from his goal kicks on the smaller pitches) but sometimes not all that accurately. A younger David James (even looks a little like him) with, as of yet, no sign of James' propensity to do wacky and il-advised things. Has played roughly 5 full games for the National Team (about 450 minutes) and given up two goals thus far. Has gone the full 90, four times and has two clean sheets. Played halves of two other games and didn't concede in those either.
Great personality too... Let's not forget another standout trait of this keeper. His personality. Howard has the kind of stoic, pleasant personality that the media and fans alike love to see. He's not cocky or arrogant, he just goes out and plays the game. With a few good showings under his belt he is bound to become a crowd pleaser and a crowd favorite which would only boost his confidence further. Good luck Timmy...don't forget your roots!!! (american, not hungarian )
Staying grounded If you ask most US fans they will say that, with the exception of perhaps Brad Freidel in current form, Howard is the top keeper in the US. That being said, I'm trying to reserve judgement until he can actually prove himself in the Premiership and to the English fans. I'm sure that english fans have heard alot of hype surrounding Howard and, while I KNOW he has the talent to be the top keeper in the world, I hope that lives up to what some US fans have portrayed otherwise it just gives naysayers another reason to doubt our word, or players, and our future. GO NATS vs. Turkey (USA 3:1 Turkey)
Howard might need a year or two of polishing up in Division One to get used to actually playing in front of packed grounds and the style of play. Over the past year, he has worked greatly on his distribution and ball skills, a very real and glaring weakness at times in the MetroStars 2002 campaign. The guy can stand on his head though, and make some absolutely brilliant saves, point blank and within the six. His real weakness right now is mental maturity and also ability to stop long range shots. Within the eighteen, the kid is golden. But often times, he can get caught off his line. Time and a better standard of play will help him. Don't worry about the Tourettes, I have never once see it be an issue with him. He will be a good one, and he's a great guy, very approachable. Strong, great athlete, cut, acrobatic, good hands, great instincts, just needs more seasoning.
I think the other aspect Howard will still need work on is triggering the attack from the box. He's got all the tools to be the best keeper in the world, and he's never satisfied with how he's performing. He always wants to be better. It will take 1 or 2 seasons, but he will wear the #1 shirt for ManU. Sachin
Re: Staying grounded I'm as big a fan of Tim as anyone, but I wouldn't put him on Kasey Kellers level either. Not yet at least. I think most fans would agree as well. I think he has more potential than either Friedel or Keller though. And another good thing about his personality; hes really passionate, lets his emotions show on the field. Really gets the crowd going.
went to the sky sports link http://msn.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,1860-1094552,00.html Saw this: Howard, 24, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for the last six months after impressing scouts in the NY-NJ league. He will be unveiled to fans next month. What exactly is the NY-NJ league ???????
Well since he grew up here in NJ is it really a surprise. He is American after all. And yeah, what is the NY-NJ League?
A bit overstated, IMHO, but Friedel certainly did have some bad games. Now that Friedel has more experience and plays for a manager that believes in him, he is, as you say, "the best keeper in the Premiereship".
Re: Re: Tim Howard Joins Manchester United! One perspective on it may be that Hungary doesn't have Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller ahead of him on their depth chart.
Says who? I don't pretend to speak for most US fans, but of the 50-100 i've talked to I've never heard anyone say that. He might be the 2nd most important to get into games or the 2nd best option when Keller is hurt, or better than Keller was at this age, or the top prospect, but lets not pretend a guy with 5 or so caps is as good as Keller, one of the top Keepers in the premiership and a would-be starter on all but about 10-15 National Teams. What do some MANU fans think about this? Will he get loaned out overseas or to the First Division or sit on the bench or get some spot starts in Worthington Cup or something? Count me as a newly converted ManU fan though... If Beckham won't make ManU more popular in the US, maybe Tim Howard will.
There are a couple of factors: #1 - Depends on what happens with Barthez #2 - Most United fans in England have never seen Howard play, but are pleasantly hopeful that he will become "the next Brad Friedel", if not "the next Peter Schmeichel" (if they are getting too giddy). #3 - Most want proven commodities (ie Paul Robinson, Rustu Recber, etc.) instead of an up and coming keeper from a less familiar league #4 - Howard is the No. 3 keeper for his country. Most realize he's behind 2 excellent keepers, but still - No. 3 My feelings are that United should keep Barthez, either loan Howard out or let him start a good run of games for the Reserves, Worthington Cup matches, some early round FA Cup matches and the odd EPL match this year. Then United would have a good idea on whether to promote Timmy to No. 1 sometime this year (if Barthez implodes - which is possible at the very least) or give him the No. 1 shirt next season. However; if United let Barthez go, I see them buying a more established younger (than Barthez) keeper. And unless that keeper is as bad as Taibi or Bosnich, Howard will be 3-4 years away from the No. 1.
Re: Re: Tim Howard Joins Manchester United! This is what I see happening no matter what. He'll still see PLENTY of games (20+), and won't be thrust into the spotlight of regular premiereship games out of nowhere.
howard v. barthez Howard is playing for the US in the Confederations Cup and Barthez is riding the pine for France.
Let me put it this way, Howard is ten times more athletic then Brad or Kasey will ever be. Howard has goalie reactions like I've never seen before. I've seen him in a couple MLS games and some friendlies, and I can tell you he is only getting better.