Tim has look of United legend

Sir Alex Ferguson believes American goalkeeper Tim Howard has the potential to emulate Peter Schmeichel's success at Manchester United.

The 24-year-old today completed a £1.6million move from New York/New Jersey MetroStars and expectations are high following rave reviews by United goalkeeping coach Tony Coton.

Schmeichel had a similar physique to Howard when he began his eight-year stint as Old Trafford No1 and the comparison has not escaped the United manager's notice.

Ferguson said: "He's big and he's quick like Schmeichel and seems to have a presence about him in goal. If you have speed and are big like Schmeichel was, then you have massive assets as a goalkeeper. We'll see now how Tim develops. There is plenty of time for him."

United already have three senior goalkeepers in Fabien Barthez, Ricardo and Roy Carroll and Howard's arrival - on a four-year contract - will increase competition for the No1 jersey. Barthez was first choice last season but following a series of highprofile blunders his place is no longer guaranteed.

Ferguson said: "I don't know what is going to happen with having four senior keepers. I have no views at this stage and we will see how it goes."

Howard's arrival at Old Trafford is the culmination of several scouting trips by Coton, who first watched the America international in 2001.

Ferguson added: " Tony Coton was in the States a couple of years ago and saw Tim play then. He's been mentioning him for a while having seen him. Tim at that point had just got into the MetroStars side in place of former USA No1 Tony Meola.