U.S. Men’s National Team and Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard was named to European Sports Magazines’ "Team of the Month" for December 2003. Howard was named the best goalkeeper of the month, receiving three out of 10 votes, beating out Ivan Pelizzoli of league-leading Roma in Italy’s Serie A, who received two votes.

ESM’s "Team of the Month" is voted on by 10 soccer magazines in different countries across Europe. The three magazines that voted for Howard were Fanatik (Turkey), Voetbal International (Holland) and World Soccer (United Kingdom).

During the month of December, United’s first choice goalkeeper started and played every minute of the team’s five league matches, leading them to victory in each encounter. Howard was magnificent in goal, allowing only four goals against and posting two clean sheets.

Howard has only been with the team since July 14 when he was transferred from the MLS to the world-renowned English Premier League club. Two weeks later, he became the first American goalkeeper to start for Manchester United, making his debut in the USA tour match against Juventus at his old stomping grounds of Giants Stadium.

Howard soon established himself as the first choice keeper and during his six months with his new team has started 29 matches, posting a 22-5-2 record, with only 19 goals allowed and 14 clean sheets.

Also voted to ESM’s "Team of the Month" for December 2003 were Christian Chivu (Roma), Walter Samuel (Roma), Mladen Krstajic (Werder Bremen), Amantino Mancini (Roma), Francesco Totti (Roma), Pernambucano Juninho (Lyon), Goncalves Ailton (Werder Bremen), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Ronaldo (Real Madrid) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United).