[3KDré]

Thought first half he was very very good at winning the ball back. He plays better with Scott because Scott will let him sit whereas Matic prefers to sit. He’s also very useful against players like Grealish because he can foul them repeatedly without getting booked

 

[thepolice123]

He must have one of the shakiest first touch I've seen from a Brazilian midfielder. Energetic performance today I still struggle to trust him with the controlling the ball in tight spaces.

 

[Rossa]

He was good for the first 60 minutes then turned to shit around the time McTominay went off. I don't whether it was tiredness but it was all individual mistakes from then on.

Agree with this.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

He must have one of the shakiest first touch I've seen from a Brazilian midfielder. Energetic performance today I still struggle to trust him with the controlling the ball in tight spaces.

If you didn’t know his nationality, you would never guess he’s Brazilian. He has no composure, and like you say an awful first touch.

his traits are his energy and tenacity. I don’t think that’s enough in the long term.

 

[MattofManchester]

He was good, until the final 20 minutes or so where he was downright awful. He's been doing this for a while now.

 

[NinjaFletch]

He was good for the first 60 minutes then turned to shit around the time McTominay went off. I don't whether it was tiredness but it was all individual mistakes from then on.

Agreed, an absolute shocking performance from then on out. Maybe it's a touch of hyperbole but genuinely one of the worst spells I can remember from a United midfielder.

 

[Welbeckham]

Brilliant first half, poor second half. I like the energy he brings to the team.

 

[Fracture90]

Love his energy and tenacity, but wish he would work on his ball control a bit, he has got to tidy up that part of his game. More often than not it appears as if he legs are in a state of constant squabble with one another.

 

[El Jefe]

I thought he was awful today. I guess he's allowed a bad game every now and then but that looked like first season Fred tonight.

 

[JJ12]

Agreed, an absolute shocking performance from then on out. Maybe it's a touch of hyperbole but genuinely one of the worst spells I can remember from a United midfielder.

Only a touch? Jesus.

 

[JJ12]

I thought he was awful today. I guess he's allowed a bad game every now and then but that looked like first season Fred tonight.

He didn’t have a bad game - guess he’s due one

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Brilliant first half, poor second half. I like the energy he brings to the team.

Which is unusual. It’s more often the other way round.

 

[WR10]

He still shits the bed every time he gets passed the ball under pressure. It’s very bizarre- he’s rarely under any heavy pressure. All of a sudden he’s taken a touch too many and he’s sliding in for a last ditch touch to pass the ball to someone. Bambi on ice

What on earth happens to him every time? Why has he not figured out how to trap the ball safely?

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

The difference he brings to the team is immense. Great energy and quality. I feel like he's a guaranteed 7/10 every game. See a likeable character too.

 

[TheReligion]

Good first hour or so but after that he gave the ball away in dangerous areas and started to develop a lead first touch.

He's not the type of player you feel safe with in a tight game!

 

[Devil may care]

Sold first half but careless in the second.

 

[Cabin Clown]

Thought he was excellent again today. In games like this he's priceless for us. It worries me how some of our fans still aren't convinced with him.

 

[Based Adnan]

Needs to look after the ball better

 

[Brophs]

I like him and he brings a lot to the side but his first touch is woefully inconsistent and that hurts us at times.

 

[FrankDrebin]

I prefer him when we're without the ball.

 

[NinjaFletch]

Only a touch? Jesus.

Worth going back to re-watch that 10-15 spell again, it was utterly awful. His touch deserted him, his passing was all over the place, and people were going past him like he wasn't there.

Everyone's allowed a bad spell, but Fred's bottom level is really low and we saw all of those flaws on display there.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

He still shits the bed every time he gets passed the ball under pressure. It’s very bizarre- he’s rarely under any heavy pressure. All of a sudden he’s taken a touch too many and he’s sliding in for a last ditch touch to pass the ball to someone. Bambi on ice

What on earth happens to him every time? Why has he not figured out how to trap the ball safely?

Players who run their socks off every game can have a lose touch sometimes. Luckily for him he's quick enough to make up for it.

Been outstanding in the first half and only had a little bad spell in the secondwhen he lost the ball twice but overall pretty much irreplacable player for us. Doubters will be always with their knives out after an odd mistake there but when you look at how disgraceful McTominay played today, it really is laugable. The boyseem to work hard but his acceleration and positional sense is really bad which ultimately makes him really shit player defensivelly. Too easy for Grealish to find a cross because heś just clueless player running like a headless chicken. Fred can seem like one but in fact he's avery intuitive player who knows exactly which space to cover and when to make a tackle or pass. Effortless in quick passing between the lines and tight spaces as well.

Just can have a bad touch sometimes so I will give him a free ride today.

 

[Dan_F]

I prefer him when we're without the ball.

Definitely. It’s not possible for us to dominate possession with him and McTominay in the team. One of those two at least have to upgraded for us to be playing at a higher level.

My issue with Fred is he attempts things he’s not capable of, which really causes us issues. Most of the time with McTominay he’ll just pass back if there’s a risk of losing the ball.

I was thinking during the second half how hilarious it is that Bailly has more composure on the ball than him.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Everytime he is in the starting XI, our midfield always perform much better, offensively more fluid and defensively offer more pressing to give less time on opposition and chance to counter when we win it back. He was very good again today, people are asking perfection but ignoring the influence he brings. Even Bruno is not perfect.

 

[Isotope]

What happened to the man? He's been awful in the last 2 games.

 

[JJ12]

Worth going back to re-watch that 10-15 spell again, it was utterly awful. His touch deserted him, his passing was all over the place, and people were going past him like he wasn't there.

Everyone's allowed a bad spell, but Fred's bottom level is really low and we saw all of those flaws on display there.

He had a bad 10-15 minutes that’s all that needed to be said. Other than that he ranged from very good to okay.

 

[11101]

We dominate the midfield when he plays. Hes like a terrier who wont leave the opposition players alone.

 

[Shane88]

There was a 5 minute period in the second half where he should've just put on a Villa shirt.

 

[PaulScholes99]

My issue with Fred is he attempts things he’s not capable of, which really causes us issues. Most of the time with McTominay he’ll just pass back if there’s a risk of losing the ball.

Strange that Fred had 89% pass completion and McTominay 71%. And Fred was only dispossesed 1 time whereas McTominay was dispossesed 3 times.

Thought Fred was brilliant in the first half and then had some bad moments in the second but overall still a good game from him. One time i was really surprised as he took the ball off Grealish from behind without a foul. Don't think there are many players in the league that can do this right now.

 

[Harry190]

The first touch of a rapist but he does work hard.

 

[KennyBurner]

His first touch lets him down a lot. I dont know why its so erratic for a very good player. Its whats stopping him from having any doubters. His second half performance raised my blood pressure.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

I thought he was pretty impressive today. Broke up so much and blocked loads of stuff and was constantly harassing people. Had some really good passes as well. I must have missed the 10-15 minute spell where people said he was awful.

 

[AltiUn]

He was good for the first 60 minutes then turned to shit around the time McTominay went off. I don't whether it was tiredness but it was all individual mistakes from then on.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Dan_F]

Strange that Fred had 89% pass completion and McTominay 71%. And Fred was only dispossesed 1 time whereas McTominay was dispossesed 3 times.

Thought Fred was brilliant in the first half and then had some bad moments in the second but overall still a good game from him. One time i was really surprised as he took the ball off Grealish from behind without a foul. Don't think there are many players in the league that can do this right now.

I said most of the time. Clearly McTominay was bad today. There also needs to be context to things like pass completion. A misplaced pass when attacking and trying a through ball is not comparable to Fred passing the ball straight to a Villa player in our half.

 

[Nori-]

In the last 10 years theres been a handful of players I've really hated at United. Whether its because of their lack of ability, the style the play or the silly mistakes they constantly make.

3 come to mind straight away. Anderson, Fellaini and until the last few weeks.....Fred. I really disliked him. He'd get shrugged off the ball like a kid, made lots of silly fouls, fail to make simple passes etc.

This season though, he's been incredible. Constantly breaking up play, passes a lot quicker, never stops running. I don't know if its the Bruno effect but he looks a different player and well worth the £52m we paid. (I would have sold him for £30m last season)

I worry he could fall back into bad habits but I'm hoping he can keep this up. He's been crucial to some of our wins this season.

 

[charlenefan]

In the last 10 years theres been a handful of players I've really hated at United. Whether its because of their lack of ability, the style the play or the silly mistakes they constantly make.

3 come to mind straight away. Anderson, Fellaini and until the last few weeks.....Fred. I really disliked him. He'd get shrugged off the ball like a kid, made lots of silly fouls, fail to make simple passes etc.

This season though, he's been incredible. Constantly breaking up play, passes a lot quicker, never stops running. I don't know if its the Bruno effect but he looks a different player and well worth the £52m we paid. (I would have sold him for £30m last season)

I worry he could fall back into bad habits but I'm hoping he can keep this up. He's been crucial to some of our wins this season.

which is it?

 

[Champagne Football]

Seems like there's a huge hole in the team whenever he doesn't play. Brings a level of energy/tenacity/desire that can not be replaced by anyone else in the squad in central midfield.

He'd remind you of Roy Keane in terms of energy and tenacity but would also remind you of Lukaku when it comes to first touch.

A player who plays with such a high intensity can burn out quickly. N'Golo Kante was unplayable for a few seasons but seems to be showing signs of burnout now. It's good that Ole has enough central mids to be able to rest Fred at times.

 

[RedIan]

Typical Fred today, worked his nuts off to try and nullify Villa attacks, but just too many times in possession he looses us possession. Hes no where near a £40mil player. We need to upgrade at some stage to some one who who has his work ethic but can actually pass and shoot straight ...
when pogba let that ball run for Fred to shoot , i screamed wtf - everyone knows hes the worst shot in the club.

 

[PaulScholes99]

I said most of the time. Clearly McTominay was bad today. There also needs to be context to things like pass completion. A misplaced pass when attacking and trying a through ball is not comparable to Fred passing the ball straight to a Villa player in our half.

But you said that Fred loses the ball because he tries stuff he can't do while McTominay just plays sideway passes most of the time if there is a risk of loosing the ball. So what is the issue with Fred now? Him getting the easy passes wrong or him trying hard things he can't do and then getting them wrong.

I think you can see how much we miss Fred every time he doesn't play. He is really playing like Kante right now, everywhere on the pitch and helping us so much.

 

[tenpoless]

which is it?