The American 'keeper, who has had an excellent season so far since his move from the MLS during pre-season, has been on the wrong end of some unfair criticism during recent weeks, with United's defensive frailties coating valuable points, but the 24-year-old believes the club can battle through it and still have a successful season.

"It is a new dimension that I hadn't seen since being here. I have only been here a very short time and I saw a lot of the good in the first half of the season, but I think this is all part of it. It's not all glamorous. People look at it and say it is all glamour and glory but these are tough times. That doesn't mean you are not going to be a champion, you can battle through it and become better off for it in the end." said the USA international.

"The mood with the players is still good. The morale is high. I know things have been said and written but we still have a big FA Cup match this weekend and we also have a good opportunity next week against Porto to go through in the Champions League so we are up beat and we are ready for the challenge."

However, Howard has admitted that United face an uphill battle to win the Premier League, and with Arsenal still unbeaten and nine points clear, Sir Alex Ferguson is left looking for some serious help from other club if we are to lift a ninth league title come May.

"We need a little bit of help from others in the Premier League where earlier on in the season we didn't because we were flying high. We may get that help and we will see how it goes."

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