FORMER Manchester United and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard said he turned down an invite to Roy Keane’s house because he was too scared of him.
Howard, now 45, joined Manchester United as a youngster in 2003 after leaving the New York Red Bulls.
Howard was United’s first-choice keeper during the 2003-04 season but was eventually replaced by Roy Carroll in United’s XI.
The ex-keeper was 24 when Keane invited him for dinner because the young player’s family had gone back to visit the US.
Howard said he didn’t attend, though, because he was too scared of the midfielder, who was also United’s captain at the time.
Howard said in his column with the Daily Mail: “I didn’t go in the end – I was too scared! I just remember thinking: I am so deathly afraid to sit across from Roy in his own house and have dinner.
“He was Manchester United at that time – and he was far more fearsome in person. But the sentiment was there.
“Never a moment went by that Roy didn’t feel contributed to a winning mentality: turning up on time, what you look like in your suit or tracksuit. Everything mattered. He was a master winner.
“The special thing I took from Roy was that sometimes leaders slip – they say one thing and then do another. Roy was never, ever caught slipping.”
But he also revealed that those close to him also got to see a softer side of Keane, and one thing he respects about the former midfielder is how well read he is.
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Howard said: “Roy is an incredibly well-read, intelligent and thoughtful man.
“But he is also not someone who is going to share that with just any and everybody. Not everyone gets that side of Roy Keane. You have to earn that side of him.
“I was nervous about everything when I first got to Manchester United in 2003. But when meeting someone, Roy is a gentleman – he looks you in the eye, he shakes your hand, and he speaks very clearly.
“It’s only once you lace up your boots and start training that you realise: this is a different animal. Roy created such an impossible standard – he set it for himself and that set the bar for the players around him.”
Howard would take those leadership lessons with him to Everton, where he made 414 appearances for the club and became a stalwart of Everton’s back line.
Howard retired in 2020, and works as a sporting director for USL side Memphis 901.
He briefly played for the club before taking up the mantle of sporting director and is also a minority owner.
Howard also occasionally works for American TV as a pundit.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd's squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.
