Former Manchester United star Tim Howard has spoken out about a “lot of myths” surrounding Red Devils legend Sir Alex Ferguson during the Scot’s time at Old Trafford.
Tim Howard played under legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after he was brought to Old Trafford in 2003 from the States.
The 45-year-old American, who was signed from MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) for £2.3m, made 77 appearances during his time at the Red Devils.
Howard, who lifted an FA Cup and a League Cup with United, was later loaned out to Everton before he made the switch to Goodison Park permanent.
The former United States international had a lengthy – and successful – playing spell with Everton before he returned to the States to see out the rest of his career.
Howard has opened up about his eventful time at Old Trafford, including the “uncomfortable” locker-room clash he witnessed between Ferguson and one United legend.
The ex-Red Devils and Toffees player also revealed the “horrific” encounters that he had with Ferguson and David Moyes at United and Everton respectively.
Howard spotlights Ferguson ‘myths’ at Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson had a legendary reputation in place well before he bowed out of Old Trafford for the final time in 2013.
The 82-year-old Scotsman was known for his infamous ‘hairdryer treatment’ at Old Trafford and put countless Manchester United players on full blast.
Ferguson was also not afraid to sell players who stepped out of line at the club, with United legends Roy Keane and Jaap Stam both being axed in ruthless fashion.
Despite his incredible achievements at United, Ferguson’s time in management saw the rise of different myths, including the infamous idea of ‘Fergie Time.’
According to Tim Howard, another myth included the iconic Scot “forcing” United players to pull out of international duty.
Speaking in his column for The Daily Mail, he wrote: “Perhaps this week proved once again that Sir Alex Ferguson was ahead of his time.
“John Stones, Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji and Andy Robertson all picked up injuries on international duty.
“Fergie identified early on the importance of missing big players down the stretch of a title race.
“But there were also a lot of myths around my former United boss – Fergie Time, for one. Forcing players to miss international soccer was another.”
Howard addresses international duty and Ferguson myth
Manchester United legend Gary Neville recently opened up on Ferguson and the former manager’s dissatisfaction for the March international break.
Ferguson had previously said that he wasn’t opposed to players representing their countries in major tournaments, including the World Cup and the Euros.
However, the former Aberdeen and United head coach famously branded international friendlies as a “waste of time.”
Howard insisted that he “never” saw a United player be put under any pressure to withdraw from international duty during his time under Ferguson.
“I’m sure there were times when someone conveniently ‘pulled a hamstring’ in training the day before an international break,” he continued.
“But I never saw a player put under pressure to pull out. I wasn’t privy to that – not as a slightly naive young man in my early twenties, anyway.
“I was certainly never asked to leave a US squad. Maybe I wasn’t that important!”
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