MetroFanatic: Have you heard the Manchester United rumors?
Tim Howard: Yeah, I've heard them.

MF: So, what do you think about the Manchester United rumors?
TH: It's flattering. They're the best team in the world, so it's an honor to have them even be rumors.

MF: If given the opportunity, would you go?
TH: Uh, yeah, I suppose. But I'm under contract here, obviously I signed a contract for a reason. Everyone knows how the game works; I'd have to be bought off a transfer, and if that transfer were to ever even be proposed and happen, then... sure. But all parties would have to agree on everything, and we're very far away from that right now.

MF: Do you think it's better to sit on the bench in Europe, or play here?
TH: Who knows? I made a decision to stay here so I could get games and play, so right now I feel like I need to play. It's up in the air, I have no idea.

MF: What do you think of your prospects for the National Team, are you the number two guy right now?
TH: Well, I think Brad and Kasey are still in the mix. I'm just waiting for an opportunity. I don't know where I stand, number two, three, four, five, but I'm very excited about the chances I've gotten in the last few months, and hopefully they'll continue.

MF: Eddie Pope has been named captain, but you have the longest tenure on the team. What do you feel about that?
TH: Eddie Pope should be captain. He's been in two World Cups, he's won three league championships, so it's only right that he is captain. I don't have any problem with that.

MF: How will this year be different from last year?
TH: Hopefully we'll win (laughs).

MF: Has the defensive quality improved?
TH: I think so. I think the defensive organization has improved more so than the talent. We brought Eddie in, which is a tremendous asset. I think Coach Bradley has us playing a good system, and he's got us very organized.

MF: Do you think that Mike Petke being gone is maybe addition by subtraction?
TH: No, I think we could've used Mike. He's very talented, and I enjoyed playing with him. But you know how the business works. Unfortunately that's how it worked out this year. I think that Mike could've helped us, but I also think that we're doing pretty well right now.