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

English fans can be brutal. Howard suffers from a mild form of Tourette's syndrome, a neurological disorder. He hasn't heard any derogatory remarks yet, although Redissue, United's fanzine for hard-core supporters, poked fun of his disorder in a fictional story prognosticating the club's season. Howard supposedly was asked who his favorite United player was and the fanzine had him repeating the name Eric Djemba-Djemba many times before he cursed and changed his favorite to another player. "It hasn't come up with the media or opposing fans," says Howard. "Or maybe it has, I haven't paid attention to it."

Howard has a thick skin. He wasn't overawed in his first match at hallowed, historic Old Trafford, a 4-0 triumph over Bolton on Aug. 16. "Don't get me wrong," says Howard. "I'm trying to put this right. When I walked onto the field, it was amazing. It was 70,000 people screaming. You just knew this was the Theatre of Dreams. I felt like a naive American. It was almost like playing at Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks. Growing up as a Knicks fan, that's what I would equate it with.

"I didn't grow up in the shadow of Old Trafford, so I don't necessarily understand the mystique. "So when I walked onto the field, I don't say it was just an ordinary day. It wasn't the same wow that I thought it might be. It was amazing. Thankfully, the fans were on my side."

Wrestling the top spot from Fabien Barthez, who backstopped France to the 1998 World Cup crown, is a sensitive issue. Howard said he gets along with the flamboyant French keeper.

"Fabien's been great, he really has," says Howard. "He's been a gentleman and has worked tremendously hard. I actually enjoy his company. He is a good competitor. In all fairness, it's a really difficult situation. It really is. Whether its Tim Howard, Fabien Barthez, or goalkeeping or writing, anytime you have a professional conflict of interest, it's difficult. And yet, I wanted his job. He wants my job. Roy Carroll wants my job. We all want each other's jobs. Yet we somehow find a way to compete fairly and still get along for the betterment of the team. And that's easy to say. I just said it in 10 seconds. It's very difficult to do.

"Unfortunately, when you're here at Manchester United when you're playing in the Premier League, everything is scrutinized, every little thing. It's easy to say, 'What have you done lately?' Not for me or Fabien, but for everyone."

Seasoned soccer observers felt Ferguson would go with a veteran like Barthez early and eventually work in Howard, who counts his blessings. "I didn't think I'd start so soon," he says. "I certainly relish every opportunity because I know it's not promised. It should be promised on any team, certainly not here with Man United. It can go so quick as it came. I know every week is a battle.

"Not only do I have to train well, but if I am given a chance to play a game, I have to play well. And if I play well, I still have to go out and train. It's not a resting issue. I'm excited I'm starting. Didn't expect to, but I also know it's a long journey,"