Tim Howard explains why Roy Keane beats Cristiano Ronaldo to be named best teammate

Tim Howard has picked Roy Keane rather than Cristiano Ronaldo as his greatest ever ever teammate - before branding the Manchester United legend the "toughest son of a b**** I ever met."

Keeper Howard made 77 appearances for United between 2003 and 2006 having joined as a 22-year-old from MLS side MetroStars.

The USA international replaced gaffe-prone Fabien Barthez in the Old Trafford goal as he helped Sir Alex Ferguson's side win the FA Cup and League Cup during his time at the club, before Edwin van der Sar took over the gloves.

United was the biggest club of Howard's career, having also turned out for Everton and Colorado Rapids, so it was always likely he would pick a player from that era for his best teammate.

(Action Images)

Howard shared a dressing room with Ryan Giggs, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Gerard Pique, Paul Scholes and countless other superstars, including Ronaldo.

But he has picked out Keane as the creme de la creme of his playing career.

“I played with so many great players and leaders in my career, but to me, none was better than Roy Keane during my time at Manchester,” Howard told  ESPN.

Howard goes up against Ronaldo after his move to Everton (REUTERS)

Tim Howard recently retired from football (SIPA USA/PA Images)

“He was the toughest son of a b**** I ever met. Nothing short of brilliant.

“As a coach, he taught me about resilience. And never giving up on myself. I took so much of what I learned from being around him and used it over the rest of my career, trying to pass it along to the next generation.”

Howard recently retired aged 40 before penning his emotional goodbye for ESPN.

And recalls flying to the UK to join United - and what he would now tell his younger self.

"If I could go back to 2003 and that nervous, naive 24-year-old kid on a plane flying to England to play for Manchester United, about to sign with the biggest football club in the world, I'd tell him to buckle up tight," Howard said.

"It's going to be one hell of a ride. There will be good days and bad. You're going to go to some dark places.

"You're going to wonder if you should give up. People will criticize you for decades on end. But it will all be worth it."