[Borys]

Fred and McTom allowed both our fullbacks so high on the pitch. You can see how often McTom was covering RB.

It's just same old same old story though. Both our fullbacks are crap when attacking. An assist or goals here and there couldn't mask how often they are allowed to go forward but did nothing. In AWB case, he couldn't even make some simple passes.

This. Not only fullback are not great attacking, but in this game it seems they were told to stay back. What makes you think how we were supposed to threaten Chelsea in the first place.

Pogba?

I'm one of Pogba biggest critics, but I'm starting to think that if we play defensive fullbacks then we should try one of Fred /McTominay + Pogba. I am still concerned about Paul losing concentration but opposition seems to retreat when he comes to the pitch.

Regarding Fred, my only worry is he was brushed off the ball a couple of times yesterday. He's not weak (like Mata), just very small frame. No chance we play him in midfield with VdB.

 

[Dan_F]

His first touch is almost laughable at times. It probably has a knock on effect on his passing, as he get 0.5 of a second less to execute the pass every time.

 

[Bobcat]

Think him and Scott's lack of creativity wouldn't have been an issue at all if James provided any type of attacking threat. They were there to do a specific job and they did it wonderfully as Chelsea created absolutely very little, and what little they did create didn't come centrally.

I agree that him and Scott at times were too risk averse in trying to hit balls over the top or through the lines to Rashford, but Chelsea were too comfortable as James provided no threat at all.

I still trust both him and Scott atm far more than Pogba who seems well off it despite some bright passages against PSG.

Agreed, though i think we need to expect a bit more from him and Scott in terms of helping out with the build up play centrally. They were way to conservative with their passing yesterday so every time we tried to go in attack we were forced wide because Fred and McTomminay could not find anyone in front of them.

 

[Lebo]

Fred was fine. Let’s not shift blame here. Fred s job is not to create chances. His job is to make sure our team doesn’t get dominated and our back line is protected. Those things were achieved. It was then up to Bruno, Rashford, Pogba, James, Cavani and the fullbacks to some extent to help with creating changes and scoring. Yes it would be great If he contributed but keep the blame to those who failed at their primary job.

 

[Litch]

He's not the problem anymore than Scott is. If the so called 'big' players played to their ability and the manager created a system that they can play in, then Scott and Fred would be great bench players. For some reason we set the ceiling higher for these players but those players with higher ceilings like Pogs and even Bruno, we dont. Not sure how you can criticise players who job is to screen the back four, who did exactly than yet one of the best midfielders in the world is on the bench cause he only wants to do the 'pretty' stuff and Bruno it seems wants to be KDB yet pass percentages are in the 70 and 80's.

We have had these honest players here for the 45 years of watching Utd but I've never seen the expectation of fans on these type of players than I seen now. They are the scapegoat for all that's wrong with the team yet those players who payed three times as much get away so much more for half the effort. I like Bruno and Pogs but these type of games, they should be the difference and they are not. Call Fred as much as people like but he as more MOTM performances than both put together even with a shit first season.

 

[Litch]

Fred was fine. Let’s not shift blame here. Fred s job is not to create chances. His job is to make sure our team doesn’t get dominated and our back line is protected. Those things were achieved. It was then up to Bruno, Rashford, Pogba, James, Cavani and the fullbacks to some extent to help with creating changes and scoring. Yes it would be great If he contributed but keep the blame to those who failed at their primary job.

Funny, just wrote the same. We want him to be everything but those players that are suppose to be so much more, with higher ceilings don't even offer the basics. That's why Pogs is sat there on the bench. Play Pogs and Bruno together and you could buy the best CDM in the world, he couldn't cover the space left in midfield.

 

[Sylar]

I keep reading Freds job isnt to create. But in the second half, it certainly seemed like he was trying to do it.

As I said, id love to see the numbers / stats on this, but there was a period where it seemed like he was trying to get into positions to do it, but it wasnt working whether it was long passes or quick passes or something.

 

[Litch]

I keep reading Freds job isnt to create. But in the second half, it certainly seemed like he was trying to do it.

As I said, id love to see the numbers / stats on this, but there was a period where it seemed like he was trying to get into positions to do it, but it wasnt working whether it was long passes or quick passes or something.

Fred always looks to pass forward but that's different to creating. I think our movement up front was really poor yesterday given how congested their half was with blue shirts. Not sure anyone can win, either you try and pass through a congested midfield, no movement screened by Kante or you play safe sideways. Fred will always try to increase the tempo of the game but that comes at a cost.

 

[MadDogg]

He works hard but he is what he is. Against sides better than us his work rate and engine help to no end, but in games where we have to dictate he’s not good enough with the ball.

He's probably not good enough in those situations to be the main ballplayer in the midfield (which is what he is when played with McTominay). But put someone else next to him who can do his fair share, even just to the extent that Matic does, and it should be fine.

 

[GledTheRed]

Really like old Frederic.

 

[Danillaco]

He's not the problem anymore than Scott is. If the so called 'big' players played to their ability and the manager created a system that they can play in, then Scott and Fred would be great bench players. For some reason we set the ceiling higher for these players but those players with higher ceilings like Pogs and even Bruno, we dont. Not sure how you can criticise players who job is to screen the back four, who did exactly than yet one of the best midfielders in the world is on the bench cause he only wants to do the 'pretty' stuff and Bruno it seems wants to be KDB yet pass percentages are in the 70 and 80's.

We have had these honest players here for the 45 years of watching Utd but I've never seen the expectation of fans on these type of players than I seen now. They are the scapegoat for all that's wrong with the team yet those players who payed three times as much get away so much more for half the effort. I like Bruno and Pogs but these type of games, they should be the difference and they are not. Call Fred as much as people like but he as more MOTM performances than both put together even with a shit first season.

Absolutely spot on.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

I really like Fred think he’s been pretty good. I don’t think yesterday was his best game. Certainly not as good as in Paris but he did his job. The one issue I have with Fred is I think he thinks his right foot is as good as his left foot.

I like that he feels comfortable using both but a lot of these poor touches and poor passes do seem to happen when he tries to use his right. Yesterday as well he did something that I have no idea what the point was. The pass and opening was there but he decided to take an extra touch and then instead of planting his left and passing with his right, while his left was still in the air he jumped forward off his right foot and passed the ball with it.

Like just why Fred? Why?

 

[SoCross]

He was much better than Kante. Needs more consistency with his first touch though but conditions were awful yesterday.

 

[Litch]

Amazing how some players we take a forensic look at their game, someone says he has a problem with his touch, then it becomes the law. The issue with his first touch is a myth as is the issue with his passing. His pass percentage is always high or if not the highest and that's from a player who plays forward. Weekend was not his best game but equally not easy to pass to players that don't move when they are heavy marked. What he does need to improve on is he is easily pushed off the ball when pressed and he then loses control of the ball.

 

[Volumiza]

Good player, performed really well tonight. Busy. Good forward play too.

 

[Vaibhav Raj]

On his good days, he's some player. He was all over the pitch in first half. His performance got a bit overshadowed by the flair players that came on in second half but what an engine this guy has.

 

[dannyrhinos89]

Another solid performance. I like Fred anyway but he always seems to take his game up a level in European games.

I suppose he always did that for Shaktar so it must be a natural reaction.

 

[el3mel]

Absolutely undroppable for me no matter what at the moment. Our best CM.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

One of my favourite players. He's like a rat on the pitch.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Must have put in about 500 tackles.

His passing markedly improved in the 2nd half too... Was good to see.

 

[Obiorahking_]

Workhorse. Was really annoyed with his passing and almost wanted him to come off but he put in clutch tackles when it mattered.

 

[Nick7]

Thought he was getting a lot of unfair stick at half time. One of the best players on the pitch.

 

[Buchan]

What a loveable wee rascal.

Chuffed for him for rediscovering this high level of performance.

Wonderful again.

 

[Kag]

I thought the first half was the best and worst of Fred. But his work rate really is remarkable. When his passing is on point then he turns into a very, very good player.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Absolutely miles better than Herrera ever was for us, and even fecking works harder.

 

[TheGame]

One of the most underrated players around at the moment. His interception led to a goal and what has hardly mentioned.

 

[iammemphis]

He gets better and better. Unbelievable to think where his standing was before Ole took over.

 

[11101]

Simply put, he's the reason we were up at the 70 minute mark. He beat them at their own frenetic pressing game. If Rashford never came on he would be MOTM.

 

[2 man midfield]

Everywhere tonight. He adds so much to our play, not just in breaking up opposition attacks. He’s key to our quick tempo.

 

[Superunknown]

Three-Lung Fred.

He's turned into a great player for us. I'm so happy for him.

 

[Volumiza]

Simply put, he's the reason we were up at the 70 minute mark. He beat them at their own frenetic pressing game. If Rashford never came on he would be MOTM.

Id agree with that, I was totally enjoying watching him tonight. Some great blocks and tackles, and quick and incisive passing too.

 

[IAmAWinner]

What an engine he has got. Undroppable for me. And I have been a massive critic of him.

 

[3KDré]

He must be so annoying to play against, just presses and wins the ball back so often.

 

[RedStarUnited]

1-0 - He makes the tackle that Pogba collects and feeds Greenwood.

2-0 - He makes the pass to Bruno who slides Rashford in

3-0 - He press presses the RB guy who loses the ball and Rashford does the rest.

4-0 - He puts Martial in, penalty.

High involvement in 4 goals!

 

[tomaldinho1]

Time to trust him on his own in the DM slot now. Bruno - Pogba ahead of him and that front three. Arsenal are v defensive now so no sense in having a double pivot anyway for next game.

 

[DarkXaero]

1-0 - He makes the tackle that Pogba collects and feeds Greenwood.

2-0 - He makes the pass to Bruno who slides Rashford in

3-0 - He press presses the RB guy who loses the ball and Rashford does the rest.

4-0 - He puts Martial in, penalty.

High involvement in 4 goals!

Yep, good summary of his involvement in our goals tonight. And that's not even considering the constant pressure that he puts on the opposition off the ball, his energy is ridiculous and absolutely vital to our recent form.

 

[ValenciasDrilledCrosses]

Great defending and pressing the whole game. Passing was very poor the first half, improved a lot the second.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

I gave Rashfod MOTM because of his hat trick, but Fred was the best player on the pitch tonight. Does he give away the ball? Yes, but his energy and ability to knick the ball to start counters is just ridiculous. As @RedStarUnited rightly mentioned, it was his pressing that led to all of our goals. Super performance!

 

[Litch]

1-0 - He makes the tackle that Pogba collects and feeds Greenwood.

2-0 - He makes the pass to Bruno who slides Rashford in

3-0 - He press presses the RB guy who loses the ball and Rashford does the rest.

4-0 - He puts Martial in, penalty.

High involvement in 4 goals!

Very good observation

 

[Adam-Utd]

1-0 - He makes the tackle that Pogba collects and feeds Greenwood.

2-0 - He makes the pass to Bruno who slides Rashford in

3-0 - He press presses the RB guy who loses the ball and Rashford does the rest.

4-0 - He puts Martial in, penalty.

High involvement in 4 goals!

He’s a pressing dream, no wonder guardiola wanted him. Yes he has a few untidy passes here and there but he’s so important to us as a team.

he allows us to actually play higher up the pitch and tonight showed it.