Ryan Giggs has accused Roy Keane's critics of being "jealous" of the Manchester United captain and using any excuse to "lay into him".
And despite the controversy arising from Keane's comments in his autobiography about his tackle on Alf Inge Haaland, Giggs insists his team-mate is not a dirty player.
The Irishman is facing two FA charges for his book and Giggs believes that has given other enemies of Keane an opportunity to criticise him - but the Welsh winger is convinced every other team wants the midfielder.
"Whenever there is controversy involving Keane it's a good excuse for people to lay into him," Giggs said.
"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 fears changing Keane's ways would change the player, and added: "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.
"But you can't just tame someone and nobody would try because it makes Keane what he is - a fierce competitor who never gives up the chase for victory. That is why our rivals think he's priceless and that's why they would jump at the chance of signing him.
"As far as I'm concerned whatever money he's paid he's worth it. He gives you something nobody else has - he's an impossible player to replace and you can see the difference when he's not playing."
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WE MISS KEANO, 3 games without him and our side looks awful. Where are all his critics now ? eerr someone said beckham should be captain, where is that fool.
GET WELL SOON ROY KEANE
And despite the controversy arising from Keane's comments in his autobiography about his tackle on Alf Inge Haaland, Giggs insists his team-mate is not a dirty player.
The Irishman is facing two FA charges for his book and Giggs believes that has given other enemies of Keane an opportunity to criticise him - but the Welsh winger is convinced every other team wants the midfielder.
"Whenever there is controversy involving Keane it's a good excuse for people to lay into him," Giggs said.
"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 fears changing Keane's ways would change the player, and added: "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.
"But you can't just tame someone and nobody would try because it makes Keane what he is - a fierce competitor who never gives up the chase for victory. That is why our rivals think he's priceless and that's why they would jump at the chance of signing him.
"As far as I'm concerned whatever money he's paid he's worth it. He gives you something nobody else has - he's an impossible player to replace and you can see the difference when he's not playing."
===================================
WE MISS KEANO, 3 games without him and our side looks awful. Where are all his critics now ? eerr someone said beckham should be captain, where is that fool.
GET WELL SOON ROY KEANE