Tim Howard believes that “one moment” perfectly ‘summed up’ former Manchester United teammate Roy Keane during the Irishman’s legendary spell at Old Trafford.
The 45-year-old American spent part of his spell at Manchester United when Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane was captain at the Premier League club.
Tim Howard left the United States in 2003 and arrived at Old Trafford as part of a £2.3m move from New York Red Bulls, formerly known as MetroStars.
The ex-United and Everton shot-stopper lifted an FA Cup and a League Cup under legendary former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Howard, who made 77 appearances for United, was shipped out on loan to Everton in 2007 before he made his switch to Goodison Park permanent in 2007.
The former United States international enjoyed a superb spell with the Toffees before he returned to the States to see out the rest of his playing career.
Howard has now candidly opened up about his experience of playing alongside Keane, including a behind-the-scenes look at the Irishman’s two sides as a captain.
Howard talks defining ‘moment’ for Keane
Speaking in his column for The Daily Mail, Tim Howard recalled the famous 2005 Premier League encounter between Arsenal and Manchester United.
United walked away with the ultimate bragging rights at the Highbury after Sir Alex Ferguson’s men sealed a 4-2 win over Arsene Wenger’s side.
The match is also remembered for the infamous tunnel clash at Highbury, with Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane separated during a heated encounter.
Howard has insisted that former United captain Keane’s confrontation with Patrick Vieira was a defining moment that “summed” him up perfectly.
“If one moment summed him up it was at Highbury in 2005. Arsenal vs Manchester United, the night Roy confronted Patrick Vieira in the tunnel,” he wrote.
“What I can tell you from being in the dressing room? None of that was an act.
“There had been a coming together after warm-ups between Gary Neville and Patrick. And something was brewing. There was talk about it in the dressing room. But none of it came from Roy.
“So many people get caught up in the hooting and hollering in the dressing room – ‘I’m going to do this and that.’
“Roy never said boo. He just waited, he walked out and he said exactly what he needed to.
“That was it. That was Roy: he wasn’t doing anything for the cameras or the show. He just did it.”
Howard praises Man Utd legend Keane
Howard holds high admiration for Keane and said that the former Nottingham Forest and United star is both “well-read” and “intelligent.”
However, the former United star added that not everyone sees the aforementioned side to Keane and claimed that the opportunity to witness it has to be ‘earned.’
“Roy is an incredibly well-read, intelligent and thoughtful man,” Howard added.
“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.
“What I learned at a young age was that his expectations were incredibly high.
“But if you pushed yourself to that level, then you were able to understand him more. If you didn’t take shortcuts, then he had respect for you.”