SOCCER American goalkeeper signs deal with Manchester United

Tim Howard is the third U.S. national team goalie in England's top division.
LONDON (AP) -- Catapulted from the relative obscurity of a New Jersey team to world soccer's most visible stage, American goalkeeper Tim Howard surveyed his new surroundings and tried to put it all in perspective.
"Fantasy," he said. "It's a fantasy really to even think of playing here. It's the best club in the world without a doubt."
Howard signed a four-year contract Tuesday with Premier League champion Manchester United, completing a $3.6 million transfer from Major League Soccer's MetroStars.
Howard, 24, of New Brunswick, N.J., becomes the third U.S. national team goalkeeper in England's top division, joining Kasey Keller of Tottenham and Brad Friedel of Blackburn.
"There's been some terrific goalkeepers coming from the United States in the last few years and I think we are now recognizing another one," Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said.
Opportunity knocks
Howard could be starting in goal next season at Manchester's Old Trafford, known as the "Theater of Dreams," and playing against the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus in the European Champions League.
Ferguson said Howard has a "great chance" of taking over as the team's No. 1 goalkeeper, ahead of incumbent Fabien Barthez.
"The one thing you can never guarantee any footballer is his place in the team," Ferguson said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "They do that for themselves. But there is no question in my mind he's got the material to do that. I'm confident he will."
Howard, who played six seasons with the MetroStars and has made nine appearances for the U.S. national team, expects to challenge for the starting job after a "settling-in period."
"Obviously everyone wants to play and everyone can't play," he said at a news conference. "So, work hard, do well and then the decision is no longer mine."
Barthez, the French national team goalie and Manchester United's starter for most of the past three years, fell out of favor with Ferguson after inconsistent performances last season.
"Tim's got the ability, he's got youth on his side," Ferguson said. "Of course it's a different environment from United States soccer, but we said the same thing when Peter Schmeichel came from Denmark. We saw what happened there."
Schmeichel, who played for Manchester United from 1991-99, helped the team win the European Champions Cup, five Premier League titles and three Football Association Cups.
Ferguson said Howard is similar to Schmeichel in terms of speed, reflexes and "presence" in goal.
"It's flattering," Howard said. "His standards are so high it's nearly impossible to live up to them. If comparisons come, great, but that's not my main objective."
American tour
Howard's signing came just days before Manchester United travels to the United States for a preseason tour, with games against Glasgow Celtic in Seattle on July 22, Club America in Los Angeles on July 27, Juventus in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 31 and Barcelona in Philadelphia on Aug. 3.
Ferguson said Howard will join the club in Seattle for training, but probably won't make his first appearance until the Juventus game.
"The emotions and the excitement of signing for United -- I think he should have a nice seven-day break," the manager said.
"Playing there would be great," Howard said. "But for me it's not the most important thing. It's to settle in, train well and find myself with the team."
Barthez will miss the U.S. tour after being given time off following the Confederations Cup in France.
Ferguson said Manchester United began monitoring Howard after goalkeeping coach Tony Coton spotted him during a U.S. trip two summers ago. Last year, club officials asked Howard to send them a video of his game performances.
"The coaches all sat there and watched it and we thought it was absolutely magnificent," Ferguson said. "The features of his game, the speed and his reflex action and his courage were there for everyone to see."
Howard has Tourette's syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes tics and abrupt, involuntary sounds and utterances. This angle has generated considerable interest in the English media.
"I'm dealing with it, no big shakes," Howard said. "I couldn't really explain to you how I deal with it, because it's just natural to me."
Asked whether the syndrome had ever hurt his game, he said, "No -- never has, never will."