Former Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard has recently retired and he has been reflecting on his illustrious 22-year career.
The American joined United in 2003, for a fee of £2.3m, and spent three full seasons at Old Trafford, winning the FA Cup and League Cup.
Howard has 339 Premier League appearances in total, with the bulk coming from his time on Merseyside, after he departed United on loan to Everton in 2006, before making the move permanent a year later.
He also represented the USA at two World Cups and in 2014, in a game against Belgium, he set the record for the most saves in a World Cup fixture.
Despite boasting an impressive career, with years of top-level experience, Howard admits it would be hard to look past a certain United legend, if he was asked who the best and toughest player was, that he played with.
“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.
“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.”
The veteran’s admission carries more weight when it’s noted Howard also played alongside world star and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo in his time at United, which shows how high Howard ranks United legend Roy Keane.
Howard also revealed the advice he would give to himself before signing for United, if he could go back 16 years, and the advice could certainly be useful for United’s current crop, who find themselves in the midst of a turbulent period.
“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," he added.
“There will be good days and bad.
“People will criticise you for decades on end. But it will all be worth it.”
