After a pair of sensational performances on Manchester United's ChampionsWorld Series tour of the United States, Tim Howard is expected to start for the Red Devils over incumbent Fabien Barthez when they open the 2003-04 season against Arsenal in the Community Shield Sunday in Cardiff, Wales.
The Premier League kicks off the weekend of Aug. 16-17, but the First Division begins tomorrow with 12 games.
In league action are three clubs with American players:
* Marcus Hahnemann (Reading, D1), at Ipswich.
* Eddie Lewis (Preston North End, D1), vs. West Ham.
* Claudio Reyna (Sunderland, D1), at Nottingham Forest.
Reyna's future at troubled Sunderland has been the subject of intense speculation. The latest report: an impending move to Fulham — which, like Sunderland, finds itself facing an uncertain future because of massive debts.