Howard: "Rest has definitely helped me"

Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard has admitted that his mid-season rest has helped him a great deal after going through a patchy spell in-between the sticks after a fantastic start to his Old Trafford career.

After keeping 10 clean sheets in his first 15 games for the Red Devils, fans started to dub the American as the 'new Peter Schmeichel'.

"The rest has definitely helped me," admitted the 25-year old.

"No player will ever go to the manager and say he needs time off, but I guess it is part of his job to know when players need a rest."

"He is a good man-manager and whatever the motivation behind his decision it has worked because I feel good now."

Howard's rest came after two off-days that cost United a place in the Champions League Quater-Final against Porto in early March and a heavy 4-1 derby defeat by Manchester City. Roy Carroll stepped in for the American for 6 games whilst Howard tried to find his feet but looks set to be in-between the sticks for the FA Cup Final against Millwall this week.

Sir Alex Ferguson has tried 10 different goalkeepers (Fabien Barthez, Raymond van der Gouw, Mark Bosnich, Roy Carroll, Tim Howard, Ricardo, Massimo Taibi, Andy Goram, Paul Rachubka and Nick Culkin) since Schmeichel's departure but Howard seems to be filling the Great Dane's boots.