FOOTBALL: HOWARD'S WAY POINTS TO A FERGIE NIGHTMARE
TIM HOWARD has landed Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson with a
goalkeeping crisis that will see the keeper miss crucial Premiership
and Cup games in the New Year.
Howard will be needed by the American national team for the lengthy
qualification process for the 2006 World Cup which begins in January.
And it will mean the USA could be calling on the United star for an
amazing 20 internationals in 23 months.
It's a king-sized headache for Ferguson, who is allowing deposed number
one Fabien Barthez to go on loan to Marseilles for the rest of the season.
Fergie will still let the French World Cup winner go, despite only having
19-year-old Luke Steele as cover for number two keeper Roy Carroll, who
will deputise in Howard's absence.
Howard will miss the game with Wolves on January 17 at Molineux, and
possibly the Old Trafford clash with Leeds plus the FA Cup fifth round
in February.
The US also have a CONCACAF qualifying game on March 31, which is four
days after United's vital Highbury showdown against Arsenal.
If the USA were to invoke FIFA rules that could mean Howard missing the
crucial clash with Arsene Wenger's men.It's a major problem for Ferguson,
who has been bowled over by Howard's performances since joining from New York
MetroStars for ￡1.8million in the summer.
"Tim has been magnificent since he arrived here and we have all been very
impressed by him.
"It will be a blow to lose him for games when the USA start their qualification
process for 2006, but there is not a lot we can do," said Ferguson.
"It's a problem but, until the international calendar is sorted out properly,
we are stuck with it."
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