Football
Arindam Rej, Man United Correspondent 8y

Marouane Fellaini scapegoated by Manchester United fans - Roy Keane

Marouane Fellaini has been unfairly made a scapegoat by Manchester United fans, according to former captain and Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane.

The Irishman pointed out that Fellani, who joined in summer 2013, had scored important goals for the club.

In particular, the Belgian midfielder played a key role in United's FA Cup triumph last season, scoring in the quarterfinal replay win against West Ham United and the semifinal victory against Everton.

Fellaini was signed by former United midfielder David Moyes, with the pair having worked together at Everton, but a dismal campaign led to the Scotsman losing his job after just 10 months in charge.

Speaking to reporters at Ireland's Versailles training base, 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 had 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 [when results are poor.]

"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."

Keane also stood by his criticism of Chelsea's Eden Hazard, saying that he would kick the Belgian in training if he played with him. The Irishman is unhappy with the way Hazard has encouraged a move away from Chelsea in recent months.

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