Roy Keane had his dinner invitation turned down by one former Manchester United teammate who was “deathly afraid” to sit across from him at his house.
The 52-year-old Manchester United legend was widely revered for his no-nonsense approach, an attribute that helped Roy Keane to excel as club captain.
Keane has even maintained his aura during his time on punditry for Sky Sports, although the Irishman has shown another side to him when the cameras are off him.
The ex-United midfielder made a long-lasting impact during his prolific spell at Old Trafford under legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Keane, who is considered one of the best captains of all time, is held in high regard by his former United teammates for his exceptional leadership skills.
During his legendary spell at Old Trafford, the Irish hardman lifted seven Premier League titles, a Champions League and four FA Cups with United.
Keane’s illustrious run at United came to an end in 2005 after Sir Alex Ferguson axed him from the club, with the Irishman seeing out the rest of his career with Celtic.
Man Utd legend Keane and his dinner invitation
Tim Howard left the United States and arrived in England in 2003 after Manchester United signed him from MetroStars, now known as New York Red Bulls.
The 45-year-old American lifted both an FA Cup and a League Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson, with Howard making 77 appearances for the Red Devils.
Howard, who cost United £2.3m in 2003, was later loaned out to Everton before he made the switch to Goodison Park permanent in 2007.
Following a successful spell with the Toffees, Howard returned to the States and saw out the remainder of his professional career with Colorado Rapids and Memphis 901.
Speaking in his column for The Daily Mail, the former United and Everton star opened up about the influence of Roy Keane at Old Trafford.
Howard admitted that the “fearsome” Keane showed true class by inviting him to dinner when he was at United, only to be too scared to take up the offer.
“I was in my first or second year at Manchester United when Roy Keane got word that my family had gone back to the United States for a week,” he wrote.
“He invited me round for dinner with his wife Theresa and the kids.
“I was a young, foreign player but he knew everything that was going on within the club. He knew my family had gone home. He knew I was on my own. No-one sees that side of Roy – he is very much a gentleman in so many ways.
“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.”
Howard on Keane’s mentality at Man Utd
Howard admitted that he was “scared to death” of Keane when he was a young player, but the American had nothing but admiration for his ex-United teammate.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“It was incredible, impeccable leadership – even if I didn’t love it at times because I was a young player and I was scared to death of him. But when you hold people to a higher standard – and you’re able to maintain that – it’s pretty special.”
