Tim has a Final chance

Stuart Mathieson

April 13, 2004

FINAL CHANCE: Tim Howard

TIM Howard will be handed the chance to stake a claim for an FA Cup Final place. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has promised that the American will be recalled to the goalkeeping spot between now and the Millennium Stadium date with Millwall.

It will be the 24-year-old's chance to prove his mini-break in recent weeks has restored his freshness and present Fergie with a tough Cardiff conundrum.

United face Leicester City at Old Trafford tonight in the Premiership and have a seven-match run-in to the final on May 22.

Howard and Roy Carroll will share the gloves over the next five weeks in a duel that will see the winner get the vote for the Final.

Difficult

"It is a difficult decision for me given that Tim Howard has had a great season," admitted Ferguson.

"It is not an easy one. But the important thing for Roy Carroll's part is that he has done really well for us and Tim got a welcome break at the right time. It might not necessarily have been the right time for him but I think it was needed and Roy has responded very, very well.

"He has proved to be a very capable goalkeeper. He has had a terrific spell. So I have that dilemma of who should play in the final."

Long run

Howard had played virtually non-stop since joining the Reds from New York MetroStars for £2.5m last summer until last month.

The American was an immediate success and saw off Carroll's challenge before the campaign started and forced Fabien Barthez and Ricardo to go out on loan to Marseille and Racing Santander respectively. Barthez's Old Trafford contract has since been paid up.

But after over a year of non-stop football in the US and England the Old Trafford move finally caught up with Howard last month and Carroll has been given the nod for the last four games. Now the two pals will scrap it out in United's final league matches.

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Felix, Puerti Rico (13/04/2004 at 14:51)

I do hope Manchester United's defense is better than what it was when it played Manchester City for Howard's sake. I believe Roy Caroll got to play just as United's defense got better after the shock of being victimized by City. Caroll did have a good set of games against Arsenal but Howard is the future. I am confident that Howard will be ready for the challenge ahead so long as his team plays to its potential.

colin, canada (13/04/2004 at 15:45)

I hope we are not about to witness another let down against an inferior club tonight. I would start Howard tonight and throw a strong team out as 3 points take us within three of Chelsea who will feel the heat. 10 points behind Arsenal after tonight? You never know.

barry, happy valley, ca (13/04/2004 at 15:54)

Tim and Roy have proved to be
better choices than the mistake
and walk about prone Bartez.
And, United will benefit greatly
from these two young fella's
going head to head for the #1
spot for many years to come.
They will push each other to
great hights and in Tim, we could see one of the greats as
his speed and agility look amazing. Tim could be the next great after the big Dane himself. Roy Carrol will make
sure of that. Now we need some consistancy in defence
to help these young fella's.
Up the Reds

Jericho, Failsworth (13/04/2004 at 16:02)

I dont quite understand the logic behind chopping and changing the goalkeeper. We've already got a dodgy back four, and it was help them a great deal if they had a consistent number 1.
We should now be playing our strongest 11 for the remaining fixtures.

gnk, Washington, DC (13/04/2004 at 16:05)

On the one hand, I am glad SAF is giving TH a chance to prove himself. On the other hand, for the sake of the team, especially with Rio out, I would think SAF would want some consistency. Flopping back and forth between keepers can't help.

Mel Gibson, Manchester (13/04/2004 at 16:27)

Yes, bring Tim back. Roy has done well but would look more at home in an episode of the A-Team.

Paul, Birmingham (13/04/2004 at 16:40)

But are we sure that SAF means giving TH the goalkeeping position or will we see him playing on the left wing?

RC has done except for his mistake on Saturday with the free kick but he doesn't inspire the confidence that TH did before Christmas

Ric, Toronto, Canada (13/04/2004 at 16:54)

Tim Howard has proven himself over and over again; true, he needed a break, but not a clap on the head by SAF. It may be just me, but I think SAF needs a break from the sidelines.

bRIAN COLLINS, TORONTO ONTARIO CANADA (13/04/2004 at 18:38)

If it's not broken don't fix it!

Rick Mc Donald, Baltimore usa (13/04/2004 at 20:02)

Tell Timmy we have our " Rally Caps on" he will understand, also Sir Alex made a good move. Timmy had played non stop, jet setting around and was up emoitionally with the whole transfer rumor and transfer itself. He needed to rest and will need more. To adjust from MLS to EPL from the metros to the Reds WOW. Can you say whirlwind, his feet havent set on the ground yet, let alone his head. Roy has been faithful good for him as well.

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