Howard in United disbelief

Tim Howard admits he is still amazed that he signed for Manchester United.

The American international joined The Red Devils in a £2.2 million move from Major League Soccer outfit New York/New Jersey MetroStars back in the summer of 2003.

Howard went on to make an immediate impact last term, having made last season's PFA Premiership Team of the Year.

His form this season, however, has failed to live up to those expectations, but the 26-year-old admitted that being a United custodian still an unbelievable experience for him.

"I thought I was pretty talented, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I was talented enough to play here," Howard told The Sun.

"I don't know how to explain it - I don't even try to explain it.

"I got a call from the Manchester United goalkeeping coach [Tony Coton], who said 'We are interested in you. Don't call us, we'll call you - just letting you know that we've got our eye on you'.

"I hung up the phone and thought to myself 'I can live the rest of my life on that one phone call - I got a call from Manchester United'.

"United had three keepers when they first signed me and I thought that even if I had to fight for the number three job, that would be fine.

"Next thing I knew, I was playing. Roy Carroll was number two and Fabien Barthez wasn't even in the squad."

Howard added that he has not performed at his best this campaign, having shared first team goalkeeping duties with Roy Carroll.

"I set the bar so high for myself last year that this season, in the beginning, didn't go so well as we would have liked.

"But it takes 11 players to win games and 11 players to lose.

"I believe what it says in the Bible: 'Do not complain, be content in all your ways, whether well fed or hungry'.

"Last year, I was 'well fed' and maybe right now, I'm a little 'hungry'.

"But it tells me to be content, so I'm willing to be content and not complain."