[iHicksy]

Despite Fred's shortcomings i've always thought he should be starting in our midfield. He has qualities you simply want from a centre mid. He constantly chases and harries the opponent. Those games where we look static and unlikely to make something happen. Well players like Fred, can instill their energy in a game. Much like Bruno and make things happen, or give the players around them a kick to say "i should be doing this". Honestly, it's a skill set that shouldn't be underestimated. It's one of the reasons I always thought that we looked better with herrera on the pitch. They share similar attributes.

 

[OldTrevil]

He was my MOTM. His passing ability from deep, coupled with his movement off the ball is so key to alleviating pressure and switching momentum. He needs to play with players that are mobile and can actively take advantage of the space he generates instead of panicking, and who are comfortable with receiving and passing under pressure. That is the key to dominating the midfield, especially against teams that are high energy but not technically superior, which is most of the PL midtable and some of the top 6 challengers.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Always enjoy watching Fred. His mobility and Stamina is something our midfield is always crying out for in the land of giants we currently have.

if only he had more end product he'd probably start more often, but as a water carrier he's brilliant.

Genuinely think he should have played against Palace instead of Mctominay as his speed and ability to cover ground quickly and intercept is vital against counter attacking sides.

 

[Himannv]

I thought he was excellent off the ball against Luton. I didn't think much of him when he had it though.

He struggles a bit when pressed as he's not a player who premeditates enough. I think he's better when he has time to look up, assess options, and then pass.

 

[Raven]

Thought he was pretty good when he came on.

 

[Lay]

Did well when he came on

 

[Litch]

Did what he needed to in regard to balance. It's a problem Pogs and Bruno.

 

[Dec9003]

Did his job when he came on, he looks better when he’s next to Matic I think it’s a decent partnership.

 

[Bebestation]

He makes our team play better than Pogba & I'm not a hater of the latter.

Bruno plays better when the whole midfield is able to press or defend, get the ball and create a quick chance.

I dont think Pogba & Bruno work in the current system where Bruno plays more like a defensive capable midfielder at AM but our CDM/CM in Pogba is the least defensively capable out of all.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Was so much better than Pogba.

 

[kiristao]

Has to play rather than Pogba. Not because he is better but because Pogba isn't fully fit in my opinion.

 

[Hugh Jass]

I think we have to drop Pogba and start Fred and Matic or maybe move VDB into the MF.

 

[Nick7]

Didn't really notice him when he came on, but that was better than noticing everything Pogba was doing wrong.

 

[kettledrumhamster]

so much more energetic and intense than Pogba. I'm a big Solskjaer supporter but I hate that he keeps playing Pogba without any question, I'd love to see him try Matic and Fred behind Bruno, I really think Fred just improves us every time he plays and I like his character. He has his weaknesses but feck me not as many as Pogba.

 

[Escobar]

Don't get why he doesn't start games (for whoever). He's clearly been our in form midfielder over the past 4 months or so

 

[Albin Johansson]

He should start over pogba.

 

[dutchred]

would love to try a midfield of Matic, Fred and Donny

 

[Zoo]

Love how he was marshalling Dunk away when Bruno was waiting to take the penalty. He did similar against PSG on Rashford’s penalty. Bags of spirit this guy.

 

[Raven]

Love how he was marshalling Dunk away when Bruno was waiting to take the penalty. He did similar against PSG on Rashford’s penalty. Bags of spirit this guy.

I noticed that too, it was good stuff.

 

[M Bison]

Love how he was marshalling Dunk away when Bruno was waiting to take the penalty. He did similar against PSG on Rashford’s penalty. Bags of spirit this guy.

Yes was great that. It’s one of the reasons he deserves to start above Pogba, he’s got so much more passion and desire, ability is nothing without it.

 

[Jibbs]

He should start over pogba.

This

 

[Ace of Spades]

Deserves to start, has been consistently one of our better players last season. He does not grab the headline, but is the much needed energy and pressure we need in midfield.

 

[Devil may care]

Unlucky not to start, brought some energy to midfield when he came on.

 

[sillwuka]

He's completely cut out his mistakes and great at recycling possession. Good on him, he will get games if Pogba doesn't get into gear quickly.

 

[Foxbatt]

Fred plays well when he gets a decent run in the team. Play him and Matic and let Bruno do his stuff in creating chances.

 

[Adam-Utd]

He and mctominay will start on Wednesday with VDB ahead you’d assume. I like Fred he deserves to play more. His energy and aggression is something we don’t have much.

 

[sugar_kane]

Love Fred, had a terrible start to his career here but he stepped up massively when Pogba was injured last season and doesn’t deserve to be relegated to the bench immediately after the restart.

 

[ReallyUSA]

I have a theory that the little comment he made about Ole having his ups and downs on the coaching side may have something to do with it. Matic didn't play for a while after he liked that tweet or IG post. Hell, Jones was rumored to be singing sacked in the morning and we saw him like one time after that.

 

[Rocksy]

He gives a lot more than Pogba does and I think there's possibly more development in him yet. He was good yesterday and an average coach like OGS could do with his energy.

 

[HowYouDoin]

The thing is Pogba is sooooooooooo much more talented. It was obvious in that first game vs Tottenham post lockdown, Fred started but Pogba stole the show. He outshined Fred completely in some 20 minutes and yes we know Pogba has that ability but he rarely shows it.

Im on board with starting Fred. Aside from that Tottenham game he's been a constant performer for us and he can play the defensive midfielder role well too.


Fred, DVB and Bruno would be interesting.

 

[Bebestation]

I'd love to see him and Bruno Fernandes in midfield one game because they have great work rate together which transcends to useful defensive abilities.

Pop Van De Beek in at AM & then we could see how that influences the players both front and behind him with his quick runs and passes.

If it works then it may give Ole that idea of playing Pogba more freely in CM whilst having Bruno Fernandes dropping back a bit deeper in to midfield too alongside him - changing us from a 4231 to a 433.

 

[Leftback99]

Not his best display but I think we're currently better with him in the team. He brings a bit more intensity to the midfield.

 

[#07]

Fred's forward passing was driving me crazy today. Mishit at least three through balls tonight. Energetic, as ever, but can't really complain for not starting in the league right now.

 

[sillwuka]

Not his best display but I think we're currently better with him in the team. He brings a bit more intensity to the midfield.

Agreed. I do like what he brings to the midfield. A bit of urgency to keep the ball moving although his forward play was less accurate today.

 

[sammsky1]

Fred's forward passing was driving me crazy today. Mishit at least three through balls tonight. Energetic, as ever, but can't really complain for not starting in the league right now.

yeah his passing accuracy was a few degrees off radar tonight. We already know he needs some game time before he hits form, and that’s fine, as he will be getting plenty of game time in coming weeks and months.

but he looks fit and motivated and happy and I’m glad he is in the squad.

 

[Abhinav]

He has grown on me over the last year and a half. But today he was really poor I thought. Refused to play the forward pass on most occasions and his long passes didn't come through. Hopefully just a bad day at the office.

 

[Bebestation]

It was his forward pass that set up vdb for the assist.

It was good.

Our ability across the team looked better when we had quality all over the place.

It reminds me when no one was that amazed by Fred & Mctomminay before we had an AM - Bruno wasnt here and Pogba was injured; however soon as we got Bruno in the team everything seemed to settle with the creators in the right spots and the hard workers in the other.

 

[Red Shorts]

He has the most energy out of our central midfielders, always making himself available. His passing is such a letdown a lot of the time, if this was improved he would such a contribution

 

[sincher]

Yeah frustrating player in many respects. Does a lot of great work and some shabby stuff. And why is he allowed to take free kicks?

 

[11101]

We currently have three proper centre mids who dont play well together. McTominay made Fred look much worse than he actually was tonight.