Tim Howard has explained the unique way in which Roy Keane became the most influential player during his career, despite playing in completely different positions.
Howard spent four years at United, during which time he played for a short time with Keane as his captain before the former midfielder’s departure in 2005.
But that was plenty of time for the ex-Republic of Ireland international to make his mark on the American, despite the pair’s varying roles.
“When I look at my footballing journey, 22 years as a professional, what I would say is the influence and impact that Roy Keane had on me is second to none,” Howard told the UTD Podcast.
“I think he is the most brilliant, calculated, tough [player]. You can say a whole bunch of things about him. I was scared to death of him at the time!
“I didn't necessarily appreciate it [at the time] but when I moved through my career over the course of 20 years, I never ever encountered somebody who had the [same] ability to influence games.
“Messi probably does, Cristiano Ronaldo, another one who I played with, does, but the way that he was able to influence, isn't [like] that.
“I hear people talk about Patrick Vieira, with France and Arsenal, he had a similar way about him. But Roy Keane - the way he was as a human being and the leader of a dressing room was absolutely brilliant.”
Keane was famed for his no-nonsense approach with team-mates during his time at Old Trafford, even going to extraordinary lengths to get more out of them during matches.
“I think he was incredibly calculated,” Howard added.
“If he wanted something done, if he wanted a right winger to track back, he would track back beyond the centre-half to make a tackle, to show the winger, ‘You can move 10 yards to do it, I just showed you because I did 70 yards’. I think he's got such an incredible footballing brain.”
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