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Roy Keane has launched a defence of Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini , claiming that the Belgian has become a 'scapegoat' at Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old has received plenty of criticism since arriving at the club for £27.5million under David Moyes in September 2013, but Keane believes fans should have directed their anger towards other, unnamed senior players at the club.

"I like him," the former Red Devils skipper said.

"I thought the criticism he had when he went to United was a bit over the top. The fans were maybe quick to jump on his back.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff)

"I saw him a few times live when United weren’t great and thought he did okay. But he seemed to be the scapegoat for the fans, which can happen when a new manager (David Moyes) brings in certain players and the new signings get criticism.

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"But we saw him recently scoring some important goals. I liked him at Everton and I think he’s a good player for Man Utd.

"If anything, the fans 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."

Gallery: Ireland hold Sweden

The Republic of Ireland take on Belgium in Bordeaux on Saturday afternoon knowing that a win against Marc WIlmots men will put them on the brink of a last-16 place.

While Keane was quick to defend Fellaini, he took umbrage with Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard's attitude, saying he would have kicked any teammate who repeatedly spoke of leaving his club in training.

(Image: AFP/Getty)

Keane believes the midfielder is a talented player but says he let himself down by talking up a potential move to Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the season.

Keane said: "Don't get me the wrong way, I think he's an outstanding player, but if you'd asked me if I was playing with anybody, whether I was at Forest, Rockmount, Cobh Ramblers, and they were constantly talking - if it was true - that they wanted to leave and they had a poor attitude to training, then I would kick them in training, yes."