Roy Keane is still a notoriously difficult man to please as the former Manchester United captain and midfield enforcer continues to demand the highest possible standards with microphone in hand.
It was the same no-nonsense approach which made Keane so popular and successful during his playing days at Old Trafford and the current crop are regularly exposed to sharp-tongued assessments from the studio. But for the Irishman and his fellow pundits, there has been plenty to shout about this campaign.
United have improved markedly under Erik ten Hag and also ended their six-year trophy hoodoo this season. Here are six players who have managed to impress Keane along the way;
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Casemiro
Casemiro has, quite simply, transformed United this season. His colossal displays in the engine room are very much Keane-like, so there is no wonder the Irishman has waxed lyrical about him.
Speaking earlier in the season, Keane said: "I think he's a brilliant player. You give him credit, he turns up every week, you know what you're going to get which is a huge compliment to a player, you fall into this trap of not knowing if players are going to turn up.
"He does, he turns up every week. He's won big prizes, gone to United, settled in very well."
Further highlighting Casemiro's impact, Keane added: "He's a big personality, has won the big trophies before. He affects games, is obviously very good defensively and pretty good on the ball, let me tell you.
"Big strong boy, big personality. He makes the players around him better, that's what great players do. But he does the simple things well, can see a pass, he can the ball, his awareness. It's not just about winning the ball back it's about the next bit, it's that bit of quality, that pass, the pace of it. That's what the really good players do and he brings that."
Bruno Fernandes
Despite questioning one or two other things along the way, Keane and his admiration for Bruno Fernandes as an attacking threat has not wavered. Regularly handed the armband this season, the Portuguese sensation has totted-up 10 goals and 12 assists from 44 games in all competitions.
Speaking about him when United booked their spot in the Carabao Cup showpiece by defeating Nottingham Forest over two legs, Keane said: "I think Bruno's always shown his quality. That's always there to see, the guy's got unbelievable talent.
"I've been quite critical of maybe more of his defensive side, but going forward he knows the weight of pass, he sees the pass, he's a goal threat and he's got unbelievable talent. So you give him that time and space, you are asking for trouble, you've got to get close to him."
Keane continued: "That [versatility] is what the good players give you. If he does play off the right, he's not a wide player because he's not got the pace, but he will come inside and play in the pockets, because what he does have, like all brilliant players, is football intelligence. He knows where the space is and if you do get it to him he will hurt you if you drop off. He's a huge player for United."
Fred
Keane has not exactly showered Fred in previous seasons. Far from it, actually, but he did share a few kinder words for the Brazilian when he came off the bench to score against Reading in the FA Cup fourth round, yet there was, rather predictably, a slight catch!
While on ITV Sport duty that January night, he said: "That's probably what I think is his role - coming off the bench - particularly with games like this when the game is done. He walks in there, he's obviously got a trick, lovely little finish. Poor from Reading, but lovely little finish."
Harry Maguire
Now this one may surprise you. Harry Maguire and his struggles at United have been well-documented, but the £80million captain recaptured his form at the World Cup with England and Keane was among the first to note that upturn alongside his colleagues in Qatar.
After the United States game, he said: "For some reason, everyone has sympathy for Maguire, but he did do well tonight, done the basics right and defended, simple as that. That's his job.
"That will give him a little bit of confidence, with a clean sheet, but he's a big boy and he's got to accept the criticism and we'll give him a bit of praise because he's done well.
"He's lacked a little bit of confidence and that's what he's good at. It's his number one priority to defend."
Lisandro Martinez
Lisandro Martinez followed Ten Hag from Amsterdam to Old Trafford last summer. It has been an impressive debut campaign from the combative Argentine - who also got his hands on the World Cup this winter - while early question marks over his (lack of) height have since been negated.
Keane said: "We focus on what players can't do, but if you focus on what they're good at. The most important thing was the manager knew him, he knew his qualities, he knew he could play well at Manchester United and he could deal with those expectations. I like the look of him."
Furthering that praise, he added: "He wants to defend and he looks the right character - the kind of lad you want to be in the trenches with. We saw tonight [vs Forest] United got a goal towards the end, but he still wants to defend. It's important to score three goals, but for a defender he'll be delighted with a clean sheet."
Marcus Rashford
What a difference a year - and change in manager - has made for Marcus Rashford as he continues to fly the flag for United this season. Just the 27 goals for him in all competitions and the Academy graduate has shown little sign he is about to slow down, either.
Keane performed a U-turn on Rashford following his match-winning double against Arsenal in September. He said: "Hunger, desire, decision-making, stretching teams, but he needs to improve his hold-up play.
"He's had a full pre-season with the club, different to last summer. He looks settled, happy in his mindset and when Marcus is at it, he's a handful.
"When he stretches teams, he's a good, good player. I was tough on him over the last year or two, and needs to be more consistent, but [against Arsenal] he was fantastic."
Addressing his devastating upturn further into the campaign, Keane added: "I'm not surprised with what I've seen tonight [in the FA Cup third round win vs Everton] and hopefully he's becoming one of the main players for Manchester United.
"He's taking responsibility. I kind of expect this from Marcus now every week."
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