Roy Keane appears to have changed his opinion on Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Fred.
The former United captain has long been one of Fred's most vocal critics, but the 29-year-old's performance in the club's FA Cup win over Reading on Saturday appears to have begun to shift his view.
After replacing the injured Christian Eriksen as a second-half substitute, the Brazil international wasted no time getting on the scoresheet, connecting with a Bruno Fernandes cross with a sublime backheel to increase United's lead.
Speaking following the game, Keane couldn't help but praise Fred for his performance, whilst adding that the role of an impact player off the bench for Erik ten Hag's team seems to be a perfect fit.
'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.'
But Keane hasn't always been so positive in his comments about the former Shakhtar Donetsk star.
After United defeated Tottenham 3-1 in April 2021, Keane offered a scathing criticism of the Brazilian's performance, despite him managing to get on the scoresheet.
'Just as well Fred scored because I thought he was dreadful, I don't know what people are talking about.'
Then, when United endured a disappointing start to the current campaign with defeat to Brighton in August, Fred, along with midfield partner Scott McTominay, once again found himself the target of the Irishman's ire.
'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 competing at the top. We see it week in, week out. They're not up to it.'