The Manchester candidate: Tim Howard stepped directly into the fire at Manchester United and came out smoking - soccer - Interview

Soccer Digest, Dec, 2003 by Michael Lewis

Several observers felt that Howard should have had the ball. "He had an excellent game, absolutely superb," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said at the time. "He felt he had a little push on the goal but I didn't see that. We're delighted with his form."

Says Howard: "The real unfortunate part is when I make the saves it's: 'Brilliant save by Howard.' When I make a mistake, it's: The American has a lot to learn.' That could consume you, so you have to let it slide off your back.

"I had a pretty good match," says Howard. "I did some things really well. I made one mistake and it cost us the game. Fair enough. I can accept that. If a forward has miserable game but the ball goes off his knee into the net, he's a savior. You're talking about one person having a great game and making one mistake and being the goat and you're talking about another person having a absolutely miserable game malting mistake after mistake after mistake coming up with one big play. It's part of how it is.

So, after giving up a goal, is it water off a duck's back? "Things here are magnified and scrutinized a little bit more," he says, "I analyze the situation. I know what could have been done differently. I go forward with it. I win continue to do the things that have gotten me to this point. You hope not, but there are a million more games where those things happen. You hope it's not in the near future. You don't know when those things pop up. You just try to do what you can do. I will go after that ball the same way I went after it the last time. Hopefully, I'll connect with it."

His reception has been mostly positive. Pete Spencer, sports editor of the Manchester Evening News, admitted he had reservations about Howard joining such a star-studded side. "It's a bold gamble by United because United wouldn't normally take a chance on a player who is unknown in European circles," he says. "It shows you he has faith in him. Certainly Howard has the makings of a Schmeichel-like figure."

Spencer was referring to former Danish international Peter Schmeichel, a hulking, intimidating man who guarded the United goal in the 1990s and for the team's 1999 Champions league triumph.

Many fans and the media have been impressed. "He's quite a revelation," says Ken Hayes, an Everton supporter who attends United matches because his company has season tickets. "Everyone is convinced he's the new No.1."

Jan Krupa, who is a retail assistant at Sportspages, a well-known downtown sports bookstore, has taken notice. "You don't associate Americans with soccer," he says. "The question asked was, 'Is he going to be good? Obviously something is there. He's done really well, very well. He seems to be a strong character. Everyone I've spoke to says it was a good signing."

Stuart Brennan, who covers United for the Evening News, has also been impressed with Howard. "He has done remarkably well," he says, "Coming from what is--with all due respect--a lesser league, I don't think fans expected him to start. He coped so well in the preseason. I think that's the reason Ferguson decided to start him."