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Read Full BioIn a game that can be decided by one or two bounces, Tim Howard never wanted to tempt fate.
The ex-Manchester United, Everton and Team USA goalkeeper told Casino Beats this week about his adherence to superstition during his playing days – and how it ultimately made him a better player.
“Superstition in action becomes preparation,” Howard said. “The things that I would do prior to a game, whether that be the night before a game, driving to the game, what I ate for my pregame meal, how I warmed up, how I taped my ankles and my fingers – that all was superstitious. And what you then realize, after the course of a few years, is this is actually part of my preparation process. So it’s a unique little insight into mental fortitude and preparation. So yeah, (I am) absolutely very superstitious.”
Howard didn’t have to rely much on luck to become a great goalkeeper.
The New Jersey native was nicknamed the “Secretary of Defense,” spending 15 years with the U.S. National Team and playing 14 years in the Premier League, including making 45 appearances for Manchester United (2003-07) and 329 appearances with Everton (2007-16).
Howard starred at goalkeeper for Man Utd and also went through his share of ups and downs, including being benched and regaining his starting job in 2004.
André Onana, the team’s current No. 1 goalkeeper, also went through his share of struggles during the most recent Premier League season.
While Onana’s name continues to be mentioned as a possible transfer option, Howard says Manchester United should run it back with Onana. However, he does mention that the 29-year-old does have his faults
“To be honest, it’s been inconsistency,” Howard said of Onana’s weakness. “He’s shown flashes of brilliance and then he’s shown moments of calamity. What you see now — and this is what I noticed with him and I noticed with other goalkeepers, but particularly with him — he doubles down when things aren’t going well and takes more risk.”
Howard says as a goalkeeper, you should always look to “simplify” things.
“That’s kind of the opposite of what I’ve always seen to be successful when things aren’t going well,” Howard said. “Usually as a goalkeeper, simplify things. He seems to take more risk. It’s an interesting pathway, not one that I certainly subscribe to, but he’s full of confidence and believes in his own abilities.”
Manchester United finished in 15th place during the 2024-25 season with a total of 42 points. It was their lowest finish ever in the Premier League era, losing a total of 18 games and finishing with their worst home record since starting in the Premier League in 1992.
Manager Ruben Amorim defended Onana as he faced scrutiny, including being labeled by former Red Devils player Nemanja Matic as “one of the worst goalkeepers” in United history. However, Amorim also benched him for a late-season matchup at Newcastle.
Howard still says Onana should have the “opportunity” to stake his claim as the No. 1 goalkeeper for United in the upcoming season.
“With Ruben Amorim — as he builds this team — there’s a lot of places that need improvement,” says Howard. “The goalkeeper position, that isn’t one that is an immediate need for change. Onana has the opportunity to continue to stake his claim as the number one. I think he’ll have an opportunity to do that in the coming year. There’s lots of changes that will need to happen in Manchester United in terms of improvement positionally. But goalkeeper isn’t (number one). I would put it on the list, but I wouldn’t put it at the top of the list.”
Another player that could possibly be on the move for Manchester U is none other than 20-year-old Alejandro Garnacho. Manchester U will reportedly move on from Garnacho, but the young winger is seeking a stay in the Premier League, with teams such as Chelsea and Aston Villa showing interest.
Howard says it wouldn’t be a mistake to allow Garnacho to move, citing PSR — profit and sustainability rules — as the main reason why.
“No, I don’t,” says Howard if it would be a mistake to allow Garnacho to leave. “We look at PSR and net profit. Unfortunately, that’s a big deal. Those types of players, the young players, give you more net profit when you sell them, and that has to come into the equation. I know years ago that would sound stupid, but that’s actually the business of things now.”
Howard also argues that Garnacho is not a great fit playing for Amorim, who just completed his first season with Manchester United.
“I don’t think he’s had enough time under Ruben Amorim to kind of see that he is or isn’t one of his players,” says Howard. “Or if he is or isn’t adapting to the style that Amorim plays with number nine and then the two 10’s underneath, tucked in tight. He doesn’t really seem to be the type of player to fill that role.”
The former longtime goalie says it would be a great business move for Manchester United to allow him to walk.
“He’s young and he’s valuable,” says Howard of Garnacho. “If they can get a good return for him, then you then allow Ruben Amorim more money to go get the player that he wants to hand-pick and hand-select. On one hand, going back a few years, everybody would think that it was crazy to let a really good, talented player go. But in this landscape, I don’t think so.”
Another move rumored is none other than the potential transfer of Manchester City star Jack Grealish to Everton, Howard’s longtime Premier League home.
The 47-year-old former goalkeeper explains why it would make sense, considering he himself made the move from Manchester United to Everton during the prime of his career.
“It makes a lot of sense if you think about it geographically-speaking,” says Howard of Grealish potentially playing for Everton. “Manchester, or where these players live in Cheshire, where I used to live in. When you live in Cheshire, you’re probably 35 minutes from the Everton training ground. Phil Neville made the switch from Manchester United. I made the switch from Manchester United. Louis Saha did, Darron Gibson did.”
Howard points towards Everton manager David Moyes’ penchant for getting players from Manchester City and Manchester United.
“David Moyes has found a really, really good sweet spot of getting players from Manchester City and Manchester United who may be or may not be surplus to requirements at those clubs and bringing them across and giving them belief,” says Howard of Moyes. “It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see Jack Grealish go to Everton. Everton is a big club with their new stadium. The future is bright for them.”
He also points towards how Grealish won’t have to uproot himself or his family if he makes the move to Everton. The 29-year-old winger has spent the past four seasons with Manchester City.
“Under David Moyes and the new ownership group, the Friedkin group, you don’t have to uproot your family, which isn’t a soccer thing, but it’s a reality,” Howard said. “Jack Grealish has settled there. He’s from Birmingham, so even probably gets closer in terms of his family being able to go see games as well. You can stay in Manchester and commute across and that does play into the mind of footballers when they have young kids who are settled in school and things like that.”
