Roy Keane: My thoughts on this Man United midfielder

Roy Keane has stuck up for Marouane Fellaini, claiming that he has been made a scapegoat at Manchester United.

The Belgian midfielder has come in for plenty of criticism in recent months since joining United from Everton with David Moyes back in the summer of 2013.

Fellaini has received mixed reviews since his arrival at Old Trafford and has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks.

Speculation about his future at the club has intensified since Jose Mourinho’s appointment as United’s new manager last month.

However, Manchester United legend Keane has leaped to the defence of Fellaini and insists that he is a fan of the Red Devils midfielder.

Speaking at a Republic of Ireland news conference at Euro 2016, Keane said: “I like Fellaini.

“I thought the criticism he had when he went to United was a bit over the top. I think it was just because he came in at the last minute when David Moyes was there and fans were maybe quick to jump on his back.

“I saw him a few times live, when United weren’t great, and thought he done okay. But he seemed to be the scapegoat for the fans. We saw him recently scoring some important goals. I like him. I liked him at Everton and I think he’s a good player for Man United.

“The criticism he’s had, I think he’s more of a scapegoat than anything else. Which can happen when a new manager brings in certain players and the new signings get criticism.

“If anything, they should have been criticising the experienced players at United who weren’t helping him out or who weren’t helping out the new manager. But that’s another story.”

Fellaini helped United finish fifth in the Premier League and win the FA Cup under Louis van Gaal last season.

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The Red Devils sacked the Dutch manager two days after their FA Cup triumph.