Dutch master to increase in value

Ruud van Nistelrooy has reiterated his commitment to Manchester United and indicated his new contract should be finalised this month, elevating him from the middle bracket of earners at Old Trafford to the top niche alongside the likes of Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs.

United have accelerated talks because they are mindful of interest from Real Madrid, but from the Dutchman's remarks it appears there is nothing for Alex Ferguson to worry about.

"The talks are going very well and I am positive about the outcome," said van Nistelrooy, who has two years of his current deal to run. "I do not expect any problems and quite probably the negotiations are going to be finished soon. The manager knows what I feel. I want to stay here for a long time - that is why I am so happy that everything is going so well. It is fantastic to be part of a club with such big names and huge tradition."

Ferguson, meanwhile, is hailing rookie American goalkeeper Tim Howard as United's star performer during the first half of the Premiership campaign.

While van Nistelrooy has maintained his phenomenal scoring streak and Rio Ferdinand has shrugged off the mountain of publicity surrounding his missed drugs test to finally find the form that made him a star of the 2002 World Cup, it is Howard who has impressed Ferguson the most.

Unknown in Britain when he was snapped up from Major League Soccer outfit New York Metros in the summer, Howard has shown no signs of being overawed by his new surroundings.

Brave in the air and an agile shot-stopper, almost from the moment he made his debut against Juventus on the US tour in July the 24-year-old has looked a worthy replacement for Champions League-winning captain Peter Schmeichel.

Howard has described comparisons with the great Dane as nonsense - but already he appears likely to succeed where the likes of Massimo Taibi, Mark Bosnich and Fabien Barthez have failed.

"Tim Howard has been the star of the show this season," Ferguson said. "He is quick, alert, agile, courageous and has speed. It's all there for us to see.

"I thought I would have to leave him out for a bit in October, but it hasn't happened."

Having dumped Barthez from his first-team line-up following a couple of high-profile blunders in the European exit to Real Madrid, Ferguson was expected to swoop for a big name in the summer.

Instead, he pursued the hunch of goalkeeping coach Tony Coton, who had heard good reports about Howard and insisted he was up to the demanding task of being United's number one number one.

"If you look at the other players we brought in during the summer Kleberson had played in a World Cup final; Eric Djemba-Djemba was a Cameroon international; Cristiano Ronaldo had been playing in Portugal's top league with Sporting Lisbon, and David Bellion had been in the Premiership with Sunderland," said Ferguson.

"Tim didn't have any of that experience, so there was bound to be a question mark over him.

"But Tony Coton was insistent and said 'Once you see him there will be no questions'. That was a big statement, but he was right."

Though Howard was beaten by a long-range Thierry Henry free in his first competitive game in Britain - the Community Shield tussle with Arsenal - he redeemed himself with penalty saves from Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Robert Pires as United clinched the trophy in a shoot-out.

He retained his place for the Premiership opener against Bolton the following week, and so good has his form been since that Barthez was quickly deemed surplus to requirements and is now back in France hoping to rebuild his career with Marseille.

Spanish international Ricardo has also been allowed to leave Old Trafford on loan, leaving Roy Carroll as the remaining goalkeeping understudy.

Ferguson may be tempted to give Howard a rest for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Aston Villa. But injuries permitting, there is no doubt who will be between the posts when the season enters its crucial latter stages.

"Maybe Tim was slightly fortunate that he played his first game in New York against Juventus, because it is his home State," said Ferguson. "He was fantastic that night. That is when I thought 'We have a signing here'.

"After that I decided to play him in the Community Shield against Arsenal to see how his temperament stood up to play in a biggish game in front of a big crowd. He was probably a bit disappointed with the goal he conceded - but other than that he did well again. Now we are seeing someone who is improving all the time."

Howard is not the only American to impress at Old Trafford this season. Teenage duo Jon Spector and Kenny Cooper are making their mark at junior level.

Ferguson believes Spector in particular has a big future and he is not ruling out further shopping trips to the States. "There is an untapped market in America," he said.

"The kids over there have a fierce will to win. They are real competitors, probably something to do with the way they are brought up."