Tim Howard believes he has been pushed a step closer to an exit
from Manchester United by Edwin van der Sar's contract extension
with the Old Trafford club.
And the USA international, currently on a season-long loan at
Everton, understands discussions about a permanent move to Goodison
Park have already taken place.
The 26-year-old feels he does not have the right mentality to be an
understudy, which he clearly feels would be the case if he returned
to Manchester United next season.
Now that Van der Sar has agreed a new one-year deal with the Old
Trafford club, Howard admits it will affect his future.
He said: "The contract is fantastic news for Edwin, I'd imagine
United would be delighted to keep him for as long as he's fit. But
it affects my mindset, of course. It's like a game of chess.
"United have made their move and it tells me what I need to do
next."
Howard has been a big hit on Merseyside and added: "I don't do very
well on the bench, to be honest. You need someone who accepts that
position and doesn't rock the boat. It's not in my blood because I
like a little bit of fire.
"Raimond van der Gouw was a fantastic deputy goalkeeper at United.
He came in, did a job and shut his mouth. I don't think I am the
type."
And although United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted recently he has
been impressed with Howard's form at Everton, the chances now of
the goalkeeper returning to the current Premier League leaders are
increasingly remote.
Everton boss David Moyes has consistently declined to discuss
Howard's future, but the player now reveals: "I had a conversation
with Sir Alex when Everton went to Old Trafford recently. Without
words being spoken directly about it, I think moves have been
made.
"It's not like Ferguson stuck his foot up my backside and kicked me
out the door.
"But without question, if it doesn't happen for me at United, it
can happen somewhere else, even though I still have good friends at
Old Trafford. I am still in contact with the United boys,
particularly Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Ryan Giggs."
