Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has claimed that Brad Friedel attempted to deny him a move to Manchester United more than a decade ago.
The USA international wrote in his autobiography, 'The Keeper', that his compatriot Friedel wrote a negative letter to United prior to his move to Old Trafford from MetroStars (New York Red Bulls) back in 2003 in a bid to derail his transfer.
"Man U told us that Friedel had refused to submit a statement on my behalf," wrote Howard in his book revealed exclusively by ESPN.
Howard added: ''You're kidding me,' I said. Friedel was among what was then a handful of American players in the Premier League; his influence was huge.
"Having himself been denied several times, he understood better than anyone exactly what was at stake. Why wouldn't he vouch for me?
"I mean, who would sabotage his own countryman like that?
"He'd written to the appeals committee suggesting that I shouldn't be given a work permit at all."
