I played with Roy Keane and Man Utd and rejected his invite for dinner - I know what he's REALLY like

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard admits he rejected a dinner invitation from ex-captain Roy Keane during his time at the club.

Howard, recognised as one of America's top goalkeepers, joined Sir Alex Ferguson's side following their previous Premier League title win in 2003, replacing Fabian Barthez. Joining a winning team that boasted such names as Gary Neville, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Paul Scholes, and Keane himself, was a daunting affair for the Stateside football hero. Early on in his career, he received an invitation to dine with Keane - an invitation that he chose not to accept.

The former American goalie shared his experience in a column for the Daily Mail, recalling how he was alone after his family had traveled back home. He said: "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 invited me round for dinner with his wife Theresa and the kids."

Despite turning down the invite, Howard detailed how Roy Keane was acutely aware of everything happening within the club even at a personal level. "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 said. "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."

Despite not having the courage to dine with Keane, it's evident Howard holds a deep respect for the United legend. He spoke highly of Keane's