Clattenburg called time on his refereeing career earlier this year when he decided to take up a new job in Saudi Arabia.

However, the 42-year-old is back in the headlines after dropping a huge bombshell about the infamous clash between Chelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in 2016.

Clattenburg also revealed that Jose Mourinho’s criticism forced him to retire, with the 54-year-old blasting the retired referee after a 1-1 draw with Stoke.

And Clattenburg has now sensationally revealed that fear of Roy Keane prompted him to favour Manchester United on one occasion back in the day.

“Even in the Premier League, I still smile at the first time I came across Roy Keane,” he said.

“He screamed at us for a corner and I’m sure it was a goal kick but because he screamed at us so loudly, I gave a corner. 

“I was that petrified of him.”

Clattenburg also revealed that, with time, he was able to show his steel on the pitch.

“I probably lacked man management. I didn’t have management experience because I was still a young boy,” he said. 

"I hadn’t had that employment background. 

“I didn’t have any experience of dealing with people, managing people, saying the right thing at the right time.

"It’s only when I got older that I started to develop those skills. 

“When you have those skills, you interact with adults better, players better. 

“If you interact with players, they make your life easier. 

“When they make your life easier, you become a good referee.”