After a handful of errors, Howard was dropped for Roy Carroll, and despite an error on Saturday which led to Birmingham City's only goal of the game, the Northern Irish international has impressed during his spell between the sticks. His best display came against Arsenal in the F.A Cup semi-final, with Carroll instrumental in the opening minutes as Arsenal searched for an early goal.

The 24-year-old played an entire season for Major League Soccer outfit New York & New Kersey Metrostars, so fatigue is probably the main reason behind Howard's slight dip in form after an excellent start to life at Old Trafford. Early press reports suggested that Howard was well equipped to give the Red Devils some consistency in the goalkeeping department that hasn't bee available since Peter Schmeichel retired, and Howard will be anxious to prove to Ferguson that his break from first-team affairs.

"It is a difficult decision for me given that Tim Howard has had a great season," admitted Ferguson.

"It is not an easy one. But the important thing for Roy Carroll's part is that he has done really well for us and Tim got a welcome break at the right time. It might not necessarily have been the right time for him but I think it was needed and Roy has responded very, very well.

"He has proved to be a very capable goalkeeper. He has had a terrific spell. So I have that dilemma of who should play in the final."

Howard started his Manchester United campaign at the Millennium Stadium, with his senior debut against Arsenal for the Community Shield. Howard was brilliant between the sticks, with his penalty shoot-out heroics helping United to victory in the season's curtain raiser. Fabien Barthez and Ricardo were both loaned out, and Barthez's recent contract termination shows that Ferguson believes the goalkeeping duo of Tim Howard and Roy Carroll is good enough without the services of the French World Cup winner.

Things have gone a little down hill for the American recently, but Sir Alex Ferguson will give both Carroll and Howard a chance to stake their claim to play in the F.A Cup final at the showpiece stadium in Cardiff where life as a Red began for Tim Howard. United have seven Premier games remaining including the visit of Leicester City to Old Trafford this Tuesday evening, and both 'keepers will have to be on top form in the games they play as they could seriously affect the destiny of next years number one jersey as well as who will be United's goalkeeper for the cup final on May 22nd.

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