Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has once again stirred conversation surrounding Manchester United’s ongoing midfield problems by making pointed remarks about Scott McTominay and his time partnering with Brazilian midfielder Fred. Speaking candidly during his appearance on *The Overlap*, Keane criticized the duo’s effectiveness, suggesting that the partnership between McTominay and Fred—often referred to by fans and pundits as “McFred”—was detrimental, particularly to McTominay’s individual development and perception as a player at the club.
Keane asserted that the pairing simply did not function well on the pitch, and that the lack of chemistry and effectiveness between the two negatively impacted McTominay’s career. According to Keane, McTominay may have had more to offer as a midfielder, but playing alongside Fred held him back. He did not shy away from blaming the partnership for contributing to Manchester United’s inconsistency in midfield over recent seasons, stating that the duo failed to complement each other’s strengths or cover each other’s weaknesses.
Although Keane didn’t directly single out Fred as the root of the issue, he implied that Fred’s style of play and his frequent lapses in performance may have made it difficult for McTominay to shine. The former captain’s comments underscore a broader frustration that has been echoed by fans and analysts alike in recent years—namely, that United’s midfield often lacked the balance, creativity, and defensive stability needed to compete at the highest levels.
By saying “What didn’t help Scott was it was him and Fred together. It just wasn’t a good combo,” Keane summed up the general sentiment that the McFred partnership never truly clicked, despite being a regular feature under several United managers. He implied that this pairing, instead of lifting the team or the individuals involved, may have led to further criticism and scrutiny.
Keane’s observations reignite the conversation around how tactical decisions and player pairings can significantly influence a player’s reputation and development. In this case, he believes McTominay’s time at Manchester United was unfairly judged due to being part of an underperforming midfield partnership. The remarks also raise questions about the club’s broader strategy in assembling and managing midfield personnel during a turbulent period in their recent
history.
