13 April 2023 , 10:45
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Manchester United icon Roy Keane has performed quite the backtrack on current Red Devils ace Fred in recent months after initially being a fierce critic of the midfielder.
Keane even once accused the Brazil international of "cheating" his teammates during a derby day defeat by Manchester City in 2019. The United legend felt the former Shakhtar Donetsk man was guilty of some lazy defending which in turn allowed Pep Guardiola's side to punish what was then an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer-led Red Devils side.
The incident led to a dispute between Keane and fellow United legend Gary Neville, who were both analysing the clash for Sky Sports. Neville insisted the players had given it their all and that their shortcomings were not down to a lack of effort.
Keane disagreed and singled out Fred, as he claimed: "You need to see Fred for the second goal if you are on about players giving it their all. That isn't giving his all, that is cheating. Just cheating letting the guy run off him."
The verbal battering didn't stop there, on another occasion Keane admitted he wants to grab Solskjaer and demand answers over why the Norwegian was persisting with Fred.
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What a difference a few years, or a new manager, can make. While the Fred Keane saw under Solskjaer was well below what the Irishman expects of a United midfielder, he has since shown signs of coming around to the Brazilian under the guidance of current boss Erik ten Hag.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Has Keane been too harsh on Fred in the past? Comment below
Roy Keane was not happy with Manchester United's defending (Getty Images)Speaking earlier this season after Fred was introduced off the bench before impressing against Reading in the Carabao Cup, Keane was quick to praise the 30-year-old for getting on the scoresheet.
He told ITV Sport: "That's probably what I think is his role - coming off the bench, particularly in games like this when the game is done.
"Reading fall asleep at a Corner, United have looked a bit better on set pieces recently. He just walks in there, he’s obviously got a trick, lovely little finish. Poor from Reading, but lovely little finish."
Regardless of Keane's stance on Fred, it doesn't seem to phase the midfielder too much.
Last year he broke his silence on the criticism he faces from pundits like Keane as he told TNT Sports: "They had many moments of glory for United and now they’re paid to give opinions, so I'm fine with it.
"It's their job and it's their right to do so. I don't agree with it but it’s their opinion. I'm not confrontational, I've heard a lot of negative comments about me, always negative, but I won't say anything back. My focus is to work on the pitch."