Manchester United star showed true colours with response to Roy Keane criticism
Roy Keane has never pulled any punches when it comes to criticising an under-performing player with ex-Manchester United midfielder Fred receiving the brunt of it during his time in England
Manchester United flop Fred possessed a cool head when responding to the unrelenting criticism levied at him by Roy Keane.
The Brazilian enjoyed five years at Old Trafford but he largely left fans wanting more following his £50million move from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018. While he was a regular starter for the Red Devils during his tenure, he failed to meet the expectations of the fanbase, which led to his departure last year upon the expiration of his contract.
The 31-year-old was regularly subject to criticism during his time in Manchester with Keane being a constant conveyer of the Brazilian's inadequacy as part of United's midfield.
Alongside his midfield partner Scott McTominay, who also wasn't immune from the wrath of the former United captain, the pair were famously blasted by the Irishman who once said: "As long as those two are playing in midfield for Manchester United, they will not be winning big trophies".
Despite the regularity of the criticism that was sent Fred's way, the ex-Brazil international was as classy as can be when responding to Keane's commentary back in 2022. Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: "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."
Among the several soundbites Keane's offered up during his punditry career, one of the more scathing pieces of analysis came in United's first league game of the 2022/23 campaign when they suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford.
As expected, Fred and McTominay were in the firing line as a fiery Keane ranted: "The [lack of] decision-making and football intelligence from midfield, particularly Fred. I've been going on about it for a long time – Fred and [Scott] McTominay are not good enough. They won't get Manchester United back to competing at the top. We see it week in, week out. They're not up to it".
The Brazilian couldn't even escape the 52-year-old in his last game for the club which came in United's 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City last year.
After fouling Kevin De Bruyne whose free-kick ended up finding Ilkay Gundogan who scored his second goal of the game during the Wembley clash, Keane unloaded on the midfielder, calling his decision to foul the Belgian the "height of stupidity".
"Fred had Kevin de Bruyne where he wants him," Keane told ITV Sport. "De Bruyne has his back to goal and then Fred fouls him. It's the height of stupidity. But we've seen that from him so many times over the years."
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