Manchester United: Fergie to stand by Howard

Sir Alex Ferguson has pledged to stand by Tim Howard for Wednesday night's Champions League opener with Lyon.

The American goalkeeper's place appeared to be in doubt after his late blunder at Bolton on Saturday that cost Manchester United any chance of a much-needed victory.

Even Howard has admitted his form so far this season has been well below that he produced 12 months ago in the aftermath of his move from Major League Soccer.

However, when asked directly whether Howard was going to be dropped in favour of Roy Carroll for United's first meeting with the three-time French champions, Ferguson's reply was unequivocal.

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Well, I think he was wrong, he should have used Carrol. Howard got some good, excellent even, saves in, but the mistakes he made like always let him and the side down again. HE either needs a break or more matches, but I think it's time Carrol took care of the big matches.

Give Carrol a chance fergie!

hey, yer 2 nil down and manged to come back and get a point, so thats a bonus. howard however, when he arrived last year, he was great, and looked really good value, a few dodgy games and there lots of pressure to drop him. i think carroll will get games though, i think its maybe a case of keeping faith in one of your signings

has ricardo left now?

Not sure about Ricardo.

Well it was all in the papers and that about Howard. They didn't give him a very good write up and said that Fergie made a mistake picking him. Maybe it's time for Carroll to get his chance as he has done well in the big matches he has played in the past.

Here here

Im almost positive Fergies gonna try Carrol again. Who knows, if he shows good form, he could be a more permanent fixture. Howard wouldn't be the first to get "2nd season syndromme", remember Barthez?

lol Barthez. ManU sent him to Monaco.
Result: Monaco ---> UEFA championship finalists. ManU finished the season in 3rd place in premiership table behind Arsenal and Chelsea. lmao

:party-smiley-018:

hehe, barthez was mad, sometimes good to watch though, still..remember the name Taibi, the italian,

what a blunder he did lol

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted it was an easy decision to leave Tim Howard out of the side that defeated Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The American goalkeeper was not even on the bench for the 2-1 victory as Ferguson decided to take him out of the firing line after high-profile mistakes against Bolton and Lyon.

Instead, Roy Carroll got the chance to shine, just as he did at the back end of last season when Howard was dropped in the wake of the Champions League defeat by Porto.

Ferguson is convinced the former Major League star will eventually recover his form and confidence but for now, the Scot believes Howard will benefit from a period out of the first team.

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yer, it may help him and make him more determined to come back into the squad and fight for his place, now that he has seen he can be dropped

roy carrol will be out to do his best and hope to stay in the team, so its good competition

never noticed if howard was in goals yesterday?

Carrols been back for the last 2 matches, theyve won the past 2 matches. Howards got a tough job on his hands, and Fergies publicly looking for a replacement. It might be back to the USA for Tim

I read he has lost faith in Howard and Carroll is not exactly top of his list either.

It sounds like he is offering Middlesborough - Phil Neville in exchange for Schawzer (sp?)......