Manchester United's Welsh winger Ryan Giggs defended under-fire colleague Roy Keane by blasting "jealous" critics who he believes have been looking for an excuse to "lay into him".
United captain Keane has been a target since the publication of his autobiography and faces two Football Association charges relating to comments about his tackle on Manchester City's Alf Inge Haaland.
But Giggs said his Irish teammate's reputation was undeserved.
"Whenever there is controversy involving Keane it's a good excuse for people to lay into him," Giggs told the Sunday Mirror.
"There is a certain amount of jealousy involved. There isn't a team in Europe that wouldn't want him so it's laughable when people have a go just for the sake of it.
"As far as I'm concerned Keane epitomises the strength and passion of Man United, and that's all people here are interested in.
"Keane has never struck me as a dirty player. Fundamentally, he's a winner and anything else is secondary."
Giggs explained: "There is hell to pay if Roy isn't on the winning side. That goes for everything he's involved in, and that will to win sometimes comes at a cost.
"I guess some players are more composed and will walk away from potential trouble, but Keane is so competitive, he acts instantaneously and sometimes pays the price."
-AFP