MANCHESTER, England (AP) He didn't like it at the time, but U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard says Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was right to rest him.
Howard joined Man United from Major League Soccer last summer. He had an excellent first half of the season. Then he struggled, and Ferguson replaced him with Roy Carroll in March.
Howard missed six games and returned in late April. He is expected to start in this Saturday's FA Cup final against first-division Millwall in Cardiff, Wales.
''No player will ever go to the manager and say he needs some time off, but I guess it is part of his job to know when players need a rest,'' Howard said. ''I just needed to get my mind right and my body back together.''
Despite his excellent play this year, Howard acknowledged his first year in the Premier League was a big adjustment.
''Sir Alex is a good man-manager, and whatever the motivation behind his decision, it has worked because I feel good now,'' Howard said. ''I have learned a lot this season, and hopefully the next one will be easier.''
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Howard joined Man United from Major League Soccer last summer. He had an excellent first half of the season. Then he struggled, and Ferguson replaced him with Roy Carroll in March.
Howard missed six games and returned in late April. He is expected to start in this Saturday's FA Cup final against first-division Millwall in Cardiff, Wales.
''No player will ever go to the manager and say he needs some time off, but I guess it is part of his job to know when players need a rest,'' Howard said. ''I just needed to get my mind right and my body back together.''
Despite his excellent play this year, Howard acknowledged his first year in the Premier League was a big adjustment.
''Sir Alex is a good man-manager, and whatever the motivation behind his decision, it has worked because I feel good now,'' Howard said. ''I have learned a lot this season, and hopefully the next one will be easier.''
wil.
