[acnumber9]

He hasn’t been good but let’s face it, he’s much better option than Matic. Matic was shocking last season, lazy & ball watching.

I have no issue giving Fred a 2nd chance. I think he can come useful. I get that his style is too erratic and easily get panicked but he has the quality and all he needs is just be more composed to utilise his technical ability.

We bought him to use his mobility & his ability to play from the back. Let’s see if he can fulfil the expectation this season.

Let’s face it, he’s not even close to Matic. That’s why two separate managers continually selected him ahead of him.

 

[11101]

It’s pretty fecking easy mate, you watch him play football. Have you watched Fred and thought, yeah this is a 50m midfielder? Like feck he is.

I have watched him and thought in the right team he is. He's had a handful of very good performances here and all of them have been when we have set up to press high and move the ball at a high tempo. Seemingly that's the type of team Ole wants to build but last season we were usually miles away from it.

 

[Litch]

To minimise the in-game mistakes Fred makes, he has to take his training to a completely new level. Missing 2 weeks of training for a wedding he could’ve had during the holidays shows a total lack of forethought or commitment. Disappointing. He is not short of talent imo.

He thought if he was called up for Brazil, then that would have taken up some of the summer so he planned his wedding after the tournament had ended. Might even have thought their are players in that squad that he wanted to attend. No lack of commitment....

 

[acnumber9]

He thought if he was called up for Brazil, then that would have taken up some of the summer so he planned his wedding after the tournament had ended. Might even have thought their are players in that squad that he wanted to attend. No lack of commitment....

No lack of commitment to his wife that he already married the year before certainly.

 

[Litch]

Let’s face it, he’s not even close to Matic. That’s why two separate managers continually selected him ahead of him.

Who played well for the duration of last season?

 

[M Bison]

There's a player in there.

I can understand the Caf's doubts, because he doesn't show it often enough. He didn't help himself with the Tottenham performance, though. That was as bad as it gets. I hope it was just ring rust, because he's going to be important for us this season.

I agree, he’s not as bad as is thought and we’ve not seen anywhere near what he’s capable of.

I think he’ll come good, needs some consistent playing time - in and out of the side constantly makes it very difficult.

It’s a consistent picture across much of the team, under performing, hopefully Ole can get more out of them.

 

[Litch]

No lack of commitment to his wife that he already married the year before certainly.

And your 'football' point is what?

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

I expect a repeat of last season. Squad player, probably starts League cup and early FA Cup games. Turns in the odd decent performance, scores 1-2 goals in all competitions and that's it.

 

[acnumber9]

Who played well for the duration of last season?

And Fred did? Matic played better than Fred last season, that’s why he played more.

 

[Drainy]

I have watched him and thought in the right team he is. He's had a handful of very good performances here and all of them have been when we have set up to press high and move the ball at a high tempo. Seemingly that's the type of team Ole wants to build but last season we were usually miles away from it.

His best games have been when the other team have let him have the ball so he can run higher up the pitch with it.

He's weak on the ball when contested, passing isn't good enough in the build up, doesn't seem to have defensive nous and has concentration issues, plus he doesn't contribute goals or assists.

He has a bit of energy that our other senior midfielders have lacked but otherwise he's nowhere close to a United quality player.

 

[acnumber9]

And your 'football' point is what?

What was your ‘football’ point? He may have wanted different guests? My point is what the hell is he doing organising a second wedding at a time he knows Utd will be on pre-season tour after an atrocious season where his manager could not have said enough times that he wanted the players back early and to be as fit as possible?

 

[Litch]

I agree, he’s not as bad as is thought and we’ve not seen anywhere near what he’s capable of.

I think he’ll come good, needs some consistent playing time - in and out of the side constantly makes it very difficult.

It’s a consistent picture across much of the team, under performing, hopefully Ole can get more out of them.

I've no idea whether he's going to be good enough or not but your point for me is right. Some people have short memories about the toxicity of the club and how hard for any player coming to a new manager, team, league, players, country, language, culture etc. He did have some positive moments in big games under Ole but it's too soon to say who is the real Fred. I guess time will tell.

 

[Litch]

And Fred did? Matic played better than Fred last season, that’s why he played more.

I'm not saying Fred did nor am I comparing them as one is in his first season and the other isn't. My point was no one covered themselves in glory last season, some have a better excuse than others.

 

[luke511]

Was this signing down to Kieran McKenna then? From the apparent ex academy player..

"Kieran has massive attention to detail and an obsession with his job and football in general. Last year, around February, when we [U18’s] were playing Manchester City, Kieran was doing a performance analysis session on how to press City and he used Shakhtar Donetsk as an example. During his analysis, he pointed out the ‘little midfielder’, meaning Fred, and said any top team should be targetting him.”

 

[SATA]

May seem laughable but i have high hopes for this guy stepping up this year. He’s not a bad footballer and genuinely looks like he wants to succeed here. Very good instinctive passer and plays with his head up. I think his ball carrying ability could be better though which Matic was very good at it until he lost half his pace

 

[Robbie Boy]

Hope he can kick on this season.

 

[DoomSlayer]

If Fred doesn't show any improvement until the January transfer windows, I'd sell him and replace him whilst he still has some value. The longer we keep underperforming players, the more their price drops and we can't get rid of them.

 

[Litch]

What was your ‘football’ point? He may have wanted different guests? My point is what the hell is he doing organising a second wedding at a time he knows Utd will be on pre-season tour after an atrocious season where his manager could not have said enough times that he wanted the players back early and to be as fit as possible?

Maybe your values aren't the same as others and maybe his family choices are more important than his job. I sure as we all would have to do is check this out with our employer before organising it anyway. He was training in Manchester before he came and went straight into the next game on tour so clearly he must have been fit enough, and Ole couldn't have had any issues with him arriving late?

 

[acnumber9]

Maybe your values aren't the same as others and maybe his family choices are more important than his job. I sure as we all would have to do is check this out with our employer before organising it anyway. He was training in Manchester before he came and went straight into the next game on tour so clearly he must have been fit enough, and Ole couldn't have had any issues with him arriving late?

Maybe. But that’s the commitment that people are talking about isn’t it? He’s free to make his choices but others are free to question if he should’ve done it.

 

[Litch]

His best games have been when the other team have let him have the ball so he can run higher up the pitch with it.

He's weak on the ball when contested, passing isn't good enough in the build up, doesn't seem to have defensive nous and has concentration issues, plus he doesn't contribute goals or assists.

He has a bit of energy that our other senior midfielders have lacked but otherwise he's nowhere close to a United quality player.

All that after one season that he barely played in? If you aren't already a scout resign from your job and send your CV to Utd. You could save them millions.

 

[Litch]

Maybe. But that’s the commitment that people are talking about isn’t it? He’s free to make his choices but others are free to question if he should’ve done it.

Depends. Your measuring his commitment one way, but there's hundreds of other ways it could be equally measured. You could argue moving from another country to somewhere that is completely alien to you and your family shows commitment irrespective of the money. I'm not pro Fred, not sure if he's good enough or not as yet. Seen him play well but equally play poorly. The thing for me is I think it's too soon to write off his time here and Lindelof has proved many on here wrong in their early assessment of him. Second, if ever there was a worst time to sign for Utd, last season was it. We know this better than anyone cause we watched us turn into a circus, and seen the level of toxicity coming out from behind the scenes at the club.

 

[Drainy]

All that after one season that he barely played in? If you aren't already a scout resign from your job and send your CV to Utd. You could save them millions.

There are reasons for that.

He could have a breakout season, just like anyone could, but based on last year he was really poor for a club that is supposed to challenge for trophies.

 

[acnumber9]

Depends. Your measuring his commitment one way, but there's hundreds of other ways it could be equally measured. You could argue moving from another country to somewhere that is completely alien to you and your family shows commitment irrespective of the money. I'm not pro Fred, not sure if he's good enough or not as yet. Seen him play well but equally play poorly. The thing for me is I think it's too soon to write off his time here and Lindelof has proved many on here wrong in their early assessment of him. Second, if ever there was a worst time to sign for Utd, last season was it. We know this better than anyone cause we watched us turn into a circus, and seen the level of toxicity coming out from behind the scenes at the club.

You can’t really say irrespective of money when money is the main reason for doing something. It’s the commitment thousands of footballers make. The other thousands tend to not need to marry the same woman twice and miss their pre season training.

I think a couple of months of decent form has made people flip their evaluation of Lindelof to the other extreme.

 

[Litch]

There are reasons for that.

He could have a breakout season, just like anyone could, but based on last year he was really poor for a club that is supposed to challenge for trophies.

Park Fred to one side. You remember the football we played last season? Like I said, I'm not pro Fred, just pro new players and young players coming into the first team, they should be given the benefit of time. I'm old enough to remember you never counted a players first season whether good or bad. The judge was always the second season.

If I joined a new company tomorrow in Brazil with my family, it would take time to settle outside of football and irrespective of money (although it helps). If the company is failing, crap employees, manager, structure and under a cloud of negativity where the best employee and managers are openly fighting, not sure this is amounts to seeing the best of my ability.

Let's see what he turns out to be rather than being based on last season. We as fans know how hard it was supporting the team, wasn't easy playing your first season for us either...

 

[amolbhatia50k]

All that after one season that he barely played in? If you aren't already a scout resign from your job and send your CV to Utd. You could save them millions.

He didn't play because he was trash.

I hope he comes good as he is talented. But I can't say I have a whole lot of faith in him. He played like a raw but taelnged 19 year old last season despite being 25 or something. When he plays well you can see why we signed him but the composure and execution has been sorely lacking. He was a gigantic downgrade from Herrera. Hopefully he proves in the coming season that this isn't the case.

 

[flappyjay]

His first touch in deep areas gives me a mini-heart attack. But as some have said his energy is perfect for pressing

 

[Halal Jalal]

He didn't play because he was trash.

I hope he comes good as he is talented. But I can't say I have a whole lot of faith in him. He played like a raw but taelnged 19 year old last season despite being 25 or something. When he plays well you can see why we signed him but the composure and execution has been sorely lacking. He was a gigantic downgrade from Herrera. Hopefully he proves in the coming season that this isn't the case.

This. Without being too rude, lets just say that Fred obviously lacks any sort of football intelligence, or tactical understanding. His technique is decent (even if not stellar), he has good physique (despite his small size) and usually works hard on the pitch. But that means nothing when he makes borderline amateurish mistakes and is prone to panic like an academy kid in his first senior appearance. I seriously doubt he'll grow a football brain eventually if we give him enough time, like some posters demand.

 

[Litch]

You can’t really say irrespective of money when money is the main reason for doing something. It’s the commitment thousands of footballers make. The other thousands tend to not need to marry the same woman twice and miss their pre season training.

I think a couple of months of decent form has made people flip their evaluation of Lindelof to the other extreme.

Money may be your main reason but it like I said, you are measuring it off your value base. It's a commitment many make but that doesn't mean it's any less of a one. Millions support Utd, doesn't make anyone less of a fan. Again what he chooses to do about his personal life isn't for us to judge cause we would do it different. I thought I saw Fred on pre season so he's not missed it and he was working at Carrington hence after only a short period on tour, he played the very next game after his arrival. I'm sure Ole would have said otherwise if he was fit.

.....yep some football fans are fickle and I've seen on match days people go from the worst, to the best and back to the worst in 45mins of football.

 

[Litch]

He didn't play because he was trash.

I hope he comes good as he is talented. But I can't say I have a whole lot of faith in him. He played like a raw but taelnged 19 year old last season despite being 25 or something. When he plays well you can see why we signed him but the composure and execution has been sorely lacking. He was a gigantic downgrade from Herrera. Hopefully he proves in the coming season that this isn't the case.

I'll keep my glass half full and leaves others with it being half empty. Fred is the least of our problems....

 

[acnumber9]

Money may be your main reason but it like I said, you are measuring it off your value base. It's a commitment many make but that doesn't mean it's any less of a one. Millions support Utd, doesn't make anyone less of a fan. Again what he chooses to do about his personal life isn't for us to judge cause we would do it different. I thought I saw Fred on pre season so he's not missed it and he was working at Carrington hence after only a short period on tour, he played the very next game after his arrival. I'm sure Ole would have said otherwise if he was fit.

.....yep some football fans are fickle and I've seen on match days people go from the worst, to the best and back to the worst in 45mins of football.

You think Fred would’ve moved to the Ukraine if the most money was in Brazil? I don’t and it would seem fairly obvious that’s the reason without contorting reasonable thought.

Sorry, he just missed some of pre season. It’s not like it matters or anything. It is for us to judge how serious he is about making it work and what is more important to him. It is also for us to judge whether he deserves our patience. Doing something he could’ve done weeks earlier or choosing to just do it whenever he felt like makes me question how much he cared about how shit he was last season. You feel differently. Most won’t.

 

[Litch]

This. Without being too rude, lets just say that Fred obviously lacks any sort of football intelligence, or tactical understanding. His technique is decent (even if not stellar), he has good physique (despite his small size) and usually works hard on the pitch. But that means nothing when he makes borderline amateurish mistakes and is prone to panic like an academy kid in his first senior appearance. I seriously doubt he'll grow a football brain eventually if we give him enough time, like some posters demand.

What's was your assessment of him under Ole in CL?

 

[Halal Jalal]

What's was your assessment of him under Ole in CL?

You mean those four matches, three of which were losses? Hardly a flattering sample.

 

[Kostov]

Matter of opinion I guess, time will tell. Not sure what the monies got to do with it anyway? When did what we pay people equate to their value anyway? Like said whether good enough or not, I'm not sure last year was best time to assess anyone as they came into a club that for 80% of last season was toxic. Fred played his best in our hardest games, I use that as my barometer for now....

The amount of money paid equates the expectations. 89m pounds for Pogba looks a great value now does it? I remember him playing well in a couple of games but he hasn’t kicked on and has had plenty of shockers. From a midfielder worth that kind of money I expected an undisputed first team midfielder along with Pogba.

 

[Kostov]

I have watched him and thought in the right team he is. He's had a handful of very good performances here and all of them have been when we have set up to press high and move the ball at a high tempo. Seemingly that's the type of team Ole wants to build but last season we were usually miles away from it.

He will never be worth 50m pounds like he hasn’t shown up till now. I hope he turns it around and manages to prove me wrong, but even then I don’t see him worth that kind of money.

 

[Litch]

You think Fred would’ve moved to the Ukraine if the most money was in Brazil? I don’t and it would seem fairly obvious that’s the reason without contorting reasonable thought.

It is for us to judge how serious he is about making it work and what is more important to him. It is also for us to judge whether he deserves our patience. Doing something he could’ve done weeks earlier or choosing to just do it whenever he felt like makes me question how much he cared about how shit he was last season. You feel differently. Most won’t.

Not contorting reasonable thought, the decisions I made 2 years ago aren't necessarily the same for this year. I'm not suggesting moving to Ukraine wasnt for money as isn't that why people generally go to work for money? Equally most I guessing consider other things too and not as you implying just money.

You use the royal 'we' when you talk about us when in reality you mean you. You don't represent me as all I'm saying is I'm prepared to wait a season before I make my judgement of any player.

 

[11101]

He will never be worth 50m pounds like he hasn’t shown up till now. I hope he turns it around and manages to prove me wrong, but even then I don’t see him worth that kind of money.

In the current market? 50m isn't a massive sum anymore. It wouldn't need him to turn into the next Xavi to say he is worth that. A standard starting midfielder for any top club is a 50m player these days

 

[TwoSheds]

He's a strange player. Seems to do a lot of his best work from deep in midfield but struggles to keep possession and his positioning ain't amazing. He also has a lot of good qualities for an AM - pace, quick feet, good shot off both feet - but again his tendency to turn over possession when forcing the pass isn't very helpful.

I hope he can find a spot in the team because I like watching him play but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Litch]

The amount of money paid equates the expectations. 89m pounds for Pogba looks a great value now does it? I remember him playing well in a couple of games but he hasn’t kicked on and has had plenty of shockers. From a midfielder worth that kind of money I expected an undisputed first team midfielder along with Pogba.

The money paid doesn't amount to my expectations as since someone paid Million pounds for Trev Francis and now 200m for Neymar, I manage and measure my expectations differently. I think most people have accepted a long time ago that the money doesn't guarantee anything in football. I'm not questioning whether people are right or wrong, that's their prerogative as it is mine. For me I'm just waiting till the end of this season as for me it's too soon to think otherwise. Maybe some are better than me at assessing players but given the backdrop of the negative and toxic environment of the club, couldn't have been easy playing football either at a new club.

I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt in the same way I did with Lindelof. Knew neither player as such but for me as a fan, I think a season is too short to be writing anyone off. Makes me cringe when I see it happening with young players. Each to their own I guess...

 

[Litch]

You mean those four matches, three of which were losses? Hardly a flattering sample.

So the losses are down to him then? What constitutes a good sample then? How many games did he play last season?

 

[Isotope]

Seems like he thrives in fast paced team, where every teammates are constantly moving. Thus he often looks lost in this team, when others prefer to be more in control (and some prefers to be more 'energy efficient' (a.k.a. lazy)).

Like some have said, with this pressing system Ole is trying to implement, we will see a more improved Fred next season.