Aniket Rai
Tim Howard revisits Manchester United career and claims he has no regrets despite lack of regular starts
Tim Howard was at Manchester United for four years between 2003 and 2007. After five years at MetroStars, now known as the New York Red Bulls, in the MLS, Howard was snapped up by Sir Alex Ferguson 18 years ago.
After years of becoming accustomed to having Peter Schmeichel and Fabian Barthez between the posts, the club wanted a long-term number one between the posts and Howard was initially brought in as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The American initially had a good spell with the club, even saving a decisive penalty against Arsenal in the Community Shield. But an error against FC Porto in a UEFA Champions League game in 2004 apparently shattered his confidence.
Howard parried a shot to hand the Portuguese side a late winner, eliminating the Red Devils from the competition. After that, Roy Carroll gradually replaced Howard between the sticks.
Howard recalls Porto howler
Speaking about that error to club media (h/t Express), Howard recalls that he was unable to understand why he was being scrutinized so much at that time.
“As far as I was concerned, I made the save from the initial free-kick. I recognised that people thought it was a mistake, but I couldn’t understand the scrutiny. I was young, though. I was 22 so I just wasn’t able to comprehend it all until years later.”
Howard joined United at a young age and perhaps could have fared better if he gained experience elsewhere before being put under the microscope during such an early time in his career. But the former Everton goalkeeper claims to have no regrets about the move.
“In a number of ways it would have been great to go to United a decade after I did, when I had a lot more experience, but there’s no way I’d ever regret joining at such a young age. If you have the chance to go and play for United, you do it. You don’t ask questions.”
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The club signing Edwin van der Saar proved to be the final nail in Howard’s coffin at Man United and he soon left for Everton in 2007. He might not be the greatest goalkeeper the club has had in the 21st century but he certainly wasn’t the worst.
