Howard hungry for success

Tim Howard says that it was his hunger to succeed that prompted him to swap Major League Soccer for Manchester United.

Howard claims he was in the comfort zone with New York/New Jersey MetroStars in his home country and could easily have stayed on.

However, Manchester United turned his head last summer and the keeper believes the opportunity to join the Premiership titans could not be rejected.

Howard will look to prove Sir Alex Ferguson was right to bring him to Old Trafford, when he takes the field in the FA Cup final against Millwall on Saturday.

"I could have played in New York for 10 years," said Howard on Friday, "and at least I would have been able to say Manchester United called me.

"That would have been something in itself. But I guess the competitive streak takes over.

"It is not in my character to live with what you have. Once you get a taste, you want more.

"After the phone call, I wanted a work permit, after the work permit, I wanted to be in the squad, (and) after I got in the squad, I wanted to be in the team.

"Some people call it greed, but it's what any professional needs to drive them on."

United have had an indifferent campaign and the Millennium Stadium showpiece provides The Red Devils with the chance to salvage something from a disappointing campaign.

"We have to make a statement tomorrow," said Howard, who has returned to the team having been dropped earlier in the season.

"It would be that way anyway, but because we haven't won The Premiership or the Champions League, we really want to win the FA Cup.

"We would be hungry anyway, but that is only intensified because we haven't won anything else.

"Losing is something I am not even prepared to think about."