Why did we buy Fred?

Castia

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Looked good last night, let’s hope his confidence picks up after that. Needs to start against Arsenal in my opinion.
 

DeGea

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I hope he turns it around as he comes across quite a nice guy. I am sure he will improve once he gets more game time and builds his confidence. We sometimes forget that these guys are humans too and are susceptible to life pressures like all of us. Not everyone is a Ronaldo and can just jump in and adapt, regardless of their price tag.
 

Grande

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He has had better games and gotten slated. I'm a United fan but also level headed, I didn't see one player performing that well yesterday. Weirdest game I've ever seen, we barely crossed the half way line but scored 3 times on 3 bizarre blunders. I will take it but feck, very weird game. Didn't even have a heroic effort feeling to it, players were trotting.
You certainly didn’t see the game I saw.
 

Jonno

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He has had better games and gotten slated. I'm a United fan but also level headed, I didn't see one player performing that well yesterday. Weirdest game I've ever seen, we barely crossed the half way line but scored 3 times on 3 bizarre blunders. I will take it but feck, very weird game. Didn't even have a heroic effort feeling to it, players were trotting.
Genuine question, do you understand football?
 

StrettyEnder07

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He has had better games and gotten slated. I'm a United fan but also level headed, I didn't see one player performing that well yesterday. Weirdest game I've ever seen, we barely crossed the half way line but scored 3 times on 3 bizarre blunders. I will take it but feck, very weird game. Didn't even have a heroic effort feeling to it, players were trotting.
Didn't have a heroic effort feeling to it? Are you drunk haha jesus
 

Sparky Rhiwabon

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Hopefully the turning point in his United career.

Now the question for Ole becomes how does he fit everyone in once they are all fit!?
 

Josh 76

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Players like Mctomminy and Fred are great as under dogs. When a tackle or a side way pass becomes great rather than the expected. Its a hard to judge players in games like these when the emotions are so high. They all gave 100%. That's what we are blinded by. If you analyse the actual individual performance it wasn't amazing. But it wasn't bad either.
It will be great for his confidence and hopefully he can become a important part of the squad for the rest of the season and beyond.
 

izec

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Hopefully the turning point in his United career.

Now the question for Ole becomes how does he fit everyone in once they are all fit!?
Rotation is the answer, since some of them will need a rest once the others are fit again. Matic and Herrera shouldnt play every game anyway if you ask me, especially Matic gets played far too much without a rest.
 

drmuji

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Ole said, he excelled last night because of the system we played which was similar to what Shaktar played.
Which system exactly was he talking about? Three at the back or with no creative number 10 spot or two upfront?
Genuine question. Because I have not seen Fred play for Shaktar so I don't know which system he talked about
 

Sparky Rhiwabon

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Rotation is the answer, since some of them will need a rest once the others are fit again. Matic and Herrera shouldnt play every game anyway if you ask me, especially Matic gets played far too much without a rest.
True, especially Matic given his age. Its great that we are starting to build some genuine quality depth and competition, even before any new summer signings!
 

AgentP

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Played well yesterday. I'm still not sure what kind of player he is. He will probably start against Arsenal now.
 

breakout67

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I hope one day soon someone provides some explanation about what has been going on behind the scenes with Fred. I would love to better understand specifically what problems he has had adjusting to life in England. Usually the reason cited in these situations is "the pace of the PL". I know last night was a CL game but it was still a frenetic and intense game and Fred didnt seem to be having any problems keeping up with it, so I struggle to see how the intensity of Southampton or Palace would be problematic.
PL pressing is generally man/ball focused, while pressing in the CL is generally trap focused. Fred gets hurried a lot more in the PL, where turning one player is not enough because you'll have another one on you. Turning a player in the CL is usually by design, they turn you to direct you into a trap.
 

Gasolin

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Hopefully the turning point in his United career.

Now the question for Ole becomes how does he fit everyone in once they are all fit!?
Rotation and motivation is key in a club like Manchester United because we really play everything, every single time!
 

Gasolin

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Ole said, he excelled last night because of the system we played which was similar to what Shaktar played.
Which system exactly was he talking about? Three at the back or with no creative number 10 spot or two upfront?
Genuine question. Because I have not seen Fred play for Shaktar so I don't know which system he talked about
I don't think it was about the whole team but Fred seems to be more comfortable when occupying the space to defend and get the ball back. After that, he can in some situations do the extra pass forward. Not sure... but once we understand how to use him better, we may be able to adapt things. Who knows?
 

gza the genius

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I'm happy for him, probably his best game for us so far and in the most important match of our season too. Hopefully he starts again Sunday and can keep that sort of form up.
 

Nori-

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I don't feel like he's fully comfortable on the ball yet. He's made a few stray passes that could have cost us, hasn't protected the defense particularly well and doesn't look like he has that killer ball when going forward.

It's way too early to write him off though. He's in a new league, in a new country, a new culture and his first 6 months under Mourinho could break even the best players confidence/spirits(Look what it did to Pogba). I think under Ole we will see him improve a lot. I'll start judging him next season.
 

Canagel

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Ole said, he excelled last night because of the system we played which was similar to what Shaktar played.
Which system exactly was he talking about? Three at the back or with no creative number 10 spot or two upfront?
Genuine question. Because I have not seen Fred play for Shaktar so I don't know which system he talked about
double pivot in midfield. Fred played central with DM partner. together acting as a shield in front of the back four and generally dictating our game with his passing.
 

Dash247

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He put in a decent performance last night along with rest of the squad except Bailly.
Hope he keeps up that level and competes with our other midfielders.

A healthy competition is always nice to get the best out of each other.
 

gerdm07

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Ummm. I thought he was okay last night. I was hoping to see more promise as this is the first time he has played the whole match ever? in a long time? I just don't see much as he is not quick with the ball, seems unaware of his immediate surroundings and his first touch is nothing special. I hate to be negative after a great night but more and more I'm convinced this buy was a huge mistake. I hope when OGS gets the permanent position, he shakes up the scouting staff because they have made some real blunders lately (Fred and Sanchez most recently).
 

Sylar

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PSG were gonna try intimidate Rashford before the penalty. Fred saw it and got himself in the way. And then was backed up by Lukaku and PSG players looked like they werent up for that :lol:
 

Charlie Foley

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Andy Mitten was talking about Fred on the UWS Podcast. Fred told him his confidence had been on the floor and he had been finding the move to Manchester really difficult. Also said Ole has been amazing in building his confidence back up and supporting him
 

Charlie Foley

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PSG were gonna try intimidate Rashford before the penalty. Fred saw it and got himself in the way. And then was backed up by Lukaku and PSG players looked like they werent up for that :lol:
I missed this and went back to watch after reading this. Cheers for picking that up, fecking loved that from Fred the Red-gave the PSG player a proper shove too! They wanted none of that smoke from Lukaku :lol:
 

Adebesi

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Andy Mitten was talking about Fred on the UWS Podcast. Fred told him his confidence had been on the floor and he had been finding the move to Manchester really difficult. Also said Ole has been amazing in building his confidence back up and supporting him
That's really interesting, I might look into listening to that. How long do that talk about it? Do they talk for some considerable time about Fred's difficulties, or is it just a comment in passing?
 

ti vu

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Ole said, he excelled last night because of the system we played which was similar to what Shaktar played.
Which system exactly was he talking about? Three at the back or with no creative number 10 spot or two upfront?
Genuine question. Because I have not seen Fred play for Shaktar so I don't know which system he talked about
Double pivot in midfield with back 3 or pseudo 4-4-2. Fred was focused as our main playmaker. Has more freedom to roam when we're in possession, which is restricted when Pogba is the star man in midfield 3
 
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Tincanalley

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Hey OP, @Josep Dowling; time to change the thread title. Fred really played his part last night. Made some great passes, pulled away the PSG players who were trying to put Rashford off, celebrated an epic night with the team. Let's support our players, rather than questioning them. And let's hope Fred - after an admittedly difficult start - goes on to be a United Legend.
 

Charlie Foley

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That's really interesting, I might look into listening to that. How long do that talk about it? Do they talk for some considerable time about Fred's difficulties, or is it just a comment in passing?
It’s just a passing comment really-he said they always talk when they see each other, because Andy interviewed him early in his career-plus Andy is multilingual which helps!
 

ti vu

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PL pressing is generally man/ball focused, while pressing in the CL is generally trap focused. Fred gets hurried a lot more in the PL, where turning one player is not enough because you'll have another one on you. Turning a player in the CL is usually by design, they turn you to direct you into a trap.
I will add.

English teams have been forced to stomach heavy congested schedule over the years, so less time to prepare for every possibilities in training between games. The less tactics at play to gel the players, and counter opposition, the more the game relies on raw ability like physicality and players' instinct. Referee style here doesn't help either.

It's well known when we have coaches from other leagues come here and bemoan about how they have less time to prepare for game here compare to X, Y, Z league...

Fred is clearly not used to PL like many other players new to the league. This PSG game however, it's not just CL game but also a role that he was familiar, which brought out his good side.
 
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drmuji

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Double pivot in midfield with back 3 or pseudo 4-4-2. Fred was focused as our main playmaker. Has more freedom to roam when we're in possession, which is restricted when Pogba is the star man in midfield 3
I don't think it was about the whole team but Fred seems to be more comfortable when occupying the space to defend and get the ball back. After that, he can in some situations do the extra pass forward. Not sure... but once we understand how to use him better, we may be able to adapt things. Who knows?
double pivot in midfield. Fred played central with DM partner. together acting as a shield in front of the back four and generally dictating our game with his passing.
Thank You Guys
 

cathari

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At times, I thought he looked like that second midfielder people are raving about in the transfer threads.
 

Fosu-Mens

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Fred | 2019/20 Performances