About Tim Howard

Tim Howard joined Manchester United from New York/New Jersey Metrostars in July 2003 for a fee of £2.3million.

Tim played for Metrostars for five seasons before making the switch across the Atlantic for the Reds and the Premiership.

United first became aware of Howard’s rapidly rising profile in America’s Major League Soccer when the club’s goalkeeping coach, Tony Coton, was alerted to his performances by a contact in the US.

With Fabien Barthez leaving the club in early summer 2003, Ferguson signed Howard to join Roy Carroll and Ricardo in United’s goalkeeping ranks.

Relatively unknown when he first arrived, the New Jersey-born keeper wasted little time securing a place in United’s first team. An impressive command of the penalty area, superb reflexes and shot-stopping ability saw him miss just one of the first 20 matches in his opening season.

Despite uprooting from his homeland and adapting to the pressures of the Premiership and life in England, Howard went on to start 44 games for the Reds, collecting his first winners’ medal with the club in the FA Cup final victory over Millwall.

Howard signed a new contract in April 2005, one that keeps him at Old Trafford until 2009 - a sign of his long-term worth to the club. Edwin van der Sar’s arrival at the club on a two-year deal is expected to help Howard progress, eventually to be the club’s No.1 again.

Upon signing the new extended contract, Howard said: "I have enjoyed my time so far with Manchester United, but you recognize you are always learning.

"The fans here are amazing and I am happy to be committing my future to the club. I look forward to enjoying a successful time with United."