He knew it when his number came out and there were cheers from the crowd as he walked off the pitch being subbed. He was horrendous but he's quite clearly unfit at the moment
17
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 36
- Goals
- 4
- Assists
- 5
- Yellow cards
- 8
- Status
He has been good to very good the past 2 months. His worst performance since Rangnick’s been in charge.
First match in 11 days due to Covid. Elanga and Fred were the original changes/rotations, with Pogba and Rashford making way. Lindelof was an emergency change due to Varane illness.
He deserves some slack for today's poor performance. His next outings will see him play much better and more effective.
First match in 11 days due to Covid. Elanga and Fred were the original changes/rotations, with Pogba and Rashford making way. Lindelof was an emergency change due to Varane illness.
He deserves some slack for today's poor performance. His next outings will see him play much better and more effective.
Yeah he basically runs around a lot. Thats about it.
Fred's bottom level is horrendous.
He was bad alright but hes just recovered from covid so i'd be willing to give him a pass for this one
He didn't look fit but I feel sorry for him. He did a perfect layoff to Shaw who just looked at the ball and stood still. How can anybody play properly in this team.
I appreciate that he gives his all but that was one of the worst performances I've seen from a United midfielder in a while
In an ideal world only one of Fred, McTominay and Bruno would be in the team at any one time. The three of them together form a trident of players that spend the whole game commiting unforced errors and turning over possession. We consequently spend the whole game flailing around in an attempt to rectify our own mistakes.
In an ideal world only one of Fred, McTominay and Bruno would be in the team at any one time. The three of them together form a trident of players that spend the whole game commiting unforced errors and turning over possession. We consequently spend the whole game flailing around in an attempt to rectify our own mistakes.
Rubbish performance but considering he had covid I let him off just this once. I blame the club for not signing a midfielder last month, that way while he is still recovering we wouldn't have been forced to play him or an OAP in Matic 
His passing is absolutely awful.
Absolute shite
He was abysmal…..he’s not usually that bad but he’s never really great either.
I've seen some bad players play for United over the years and Fred is right up there.
This - poor game, but looks like the 3 games out with covid has killed his match fitness/sharpness. He's better than what we saw yesterdayRubbish performance but considering he had covid I let him off just this once. I blame the club for not signing a midfielder last month, that way while he is still recovering we wouldn't have been forced to play him or an OAP in Matic
Brutal when he was subbed off and the stadium crowd erupted into audible cheers. I never like to see that happen to any of our players
Fully with you on this - his assists and goals this season (which helped win 4-5 games) are now a memory because he came back right after covid and was shit in a game we won in which everybody else was also shit. Good post.
I remember that. Shaw just stood there instead of doing what he should have done. Fred got blamed for a poor pass in the match day thread when it was a clear layoff to Shaw. He was still poor, though. It was one of those games. When he's bad, he gives the ball away like crazy. I did feel bad for him when the crowd sarcastically cheered when he got subbed off.
This is definitely the worst he's played since Ralf came in.
This is the problem with McFred yeah they can play great but when they are not it’s 3/10 when other top clubs have players that give you 6-7/10 on a decent day
He was poor last night but what I know about Fred, he’s a player that needs to play regular and struggles when he’s been out for even a few games. I’ve stopped attempting to defend him as most people‘s mind are already made up about him irrespective of how he plays. The funny thing is people have written him off and were convinced once RR got the job, he wouldn’t play yet if fit, he generally does. What this manager and no doubt whoever comes in after him recognises is his positive impact on the team, the unselfish nature of his game and the ability to make things happen the contribute to goals which is invaluable. I lost count of the goals scored that he has either pressured or closed down forcing them to make a mistake. He has probably more assists than any other bar Bruno which is crazy.
I funny expected to win yesterday cause when he plays, we generally do and it’s happened too many times, with different players on the pitch to be a coincidence. There are always been players that fans hate, that the people they play with actually love.
Fans are dicks. Think of anyone else in beside Keane or Scholes? That’s a hardworking player beside a genius. In the absence of a genius, who is our best midfielder in the modern game? Who is Brazil’s best midfielder in the modern game? Liverpool? It’s all the same answer. The system. A good unit is far far far better than 2 pogbas. World class indeed. Even two of him couldn’t control an average PL game unless they were “on it”
Last edited:
Use him properly and he is a decent player. This McFred or with Matic is not going to work. He needs to stop running a bit and concentrate on cutting down the space and his passing. I think it was Rio who said that there is a lack of discipline in the team where everyone tries their own thing instead of playing to a plan.
I don't think this is the way to use him properly. He's best as a roaming, supporting midfielder. He is not suited to deeper, more disciplined role at all, because of his light-weight build, but also poor passing range and obviously positioning. However, this roaming role he can perform quite effectively if he's paired with a disciplined DM. We have none obviously, but I'd rather replace McTominay who is rather poor defensively and doesn't protect the backline at all. Basically another one who should have a DM behind him.
Brazil seem to play him with Fabinho in a 4231. We could do the same with, say, Declan Rice.
I think if Fred is paired with any decent DM, our midfield and general play should improve significantly. I see a good player in Fred. His heights are nowhere near the required level for winning trophies, but he is a useful player if used correctly. Using him as the deepest midfielder is definitely not the right way.
Ive sorted accepted his limitations, and sometimes appreciate the effort he puts in. But the Brighton game was abysmal. He really shouldn't be anywhere near a club like united.
In a team full of players who don't seem to give a shit, Fred is very very rarely counted in their ranks. For that alone I am willing to give him far more slack than most of our players. Hes not good enough for an ambitious team but there are a lot of players I would get rid of before him.
Work rate is the least you can and should expect from players and he gives that.
Work rate is the least you can and should expect from players and he gives that.
Is it that strange?
Maybe they're not blinded by poor results or a 2 second memory that makes recalling the past number of seasons where he's been our best performing midfielder possible. There is probably a realisation there that if you have a competent setup with better technical players around him you can use his abilities.
We're trying to concoct a midfield out of elements that don't work.
With a decent DM he is good enough to win trophies. He needs to be playing further up the field and then he is a very good player as we have seen these last few months. He needs quick passing around him and in that deep sitting position its not always available.
Maybe pairing him with Rice would be the best way, but McTominay is not the answer to any of our problems and Matic no longer has the legs.
Said elsewhere, if both managers in their dream job, why play a player that for most think would cost them games? No choice, Matic for 60 mins or played Donny? Loan a player in Jan, if he’s championship level, then he is easy to replace. Even change the formation. Fred was off with COVID yet comes straight back into the team and we win.
The 3 games without him starting despite most fans preferred midfield, we draw. Anyone remember the two chances he created in the 15 mins he came on in the cup game. How many assist so far this season compared to others in the team? Winning the pen against Arsenal or the world class pass against West Ham. How about the cross from LB in CL where RC scored late on? Scored a couple of nice goals so far this season and have been many moments where him closing players down have lead to goals too.
Arguably Brighton was the hardest of the 3 games.
Call it coincidence but it’s uncanny that a player so shit has so much influence and Brazil have worked that out too. Everyone who has played football at any level will have played with a ‘Fred’, he’s that small cog that nobody rates but when he’s not there, everyone misses.…ask Bruno and Neymar.
The 3 games without him starting despite most fans preferred midfield, we draw. Anyone remember the two chances he created in the 15 mins he came on in the cup game. How many assist so far this season compared to others in the team? Winning the pen against Arsenal or the world class pass against West Ham. How about the cross from LB in CL where RC scored late on? Scored a couple of nice goals so far this season and have been many moments where him closing players down have lead to goals too.
Arguably Brighton was the hardest of the 3 games.
Call it coincidence but it’s uncanny that a player so shit has so much influence and Brazil have worked that out too. Everyone who has played football at any level will have played with a ‘Fred’, he’s that small cog that nobody rates but when he’s not there, everyone misses.…ask Bruno and Neymar.
Last edited:
I’ve long thought they about Fred. He’s never going to be the kind of midfielder who drags all the other players up by their bootstraps but that doesn’t mean he has no role. You don’t need a full team of Keanes or Gerrards to win things. It’s often been said that if he’d gone to City he’d have looked a far better player, and I think there’s some truth in that. The way he’s singled out just doesn’t sit right with me
Fred wants to play a Kante type role. And no I'm not saying he's as good as Kante but he's our version.
When Chelsea tried playing Kante as a holding midfielder he wasn't great either. He's not this magician on the ball despite what some make out, all his best attributes are physical. Suddenly he gets Jorginho holding a position and taking build up responsibility and Kovacic with his interplay and guess what he looks brilliant, he's the cog they need as he gives them that running power and physical edge.
We ask Fred to hold, build play, press, then we complain he and his partner give us nothing going forward too. It's a thankless task. You've got McTominay not offering a whole lot in any single department, Bruno pushing forward, we ask Fred to do 3 men's jobs for most of us his Utd career then wonder why Brazil rate him and yet all our fans say he's shite. Is there one other team that expect so much out of their midfielder in this age of specialists and then get confused when they're out of position, slightly confused and showing inconsistencies, is there even one?
This is nothing to do with the other night, that was just awful, even after Covid, he has to be better at the basics. But the appraisal some people have of his Utd career is off the mark acting like he's just rubbish. Well no, overall he's been pretty good for us the last few years and he'd be better if we had a viable plan.
When Chelsea tried playing Kante as a holding midfielder he wasn't great either. He's not this magician on the ball despite what some make out, all his best attributes are physical. Suddenly he gets Jorginho holding a position and taking build up responsibility and Kovacic with his interplay and guess what he looks brilliant, he's the cog they need as he gives them that running power and physical edge.
We ask Fred to hold, build play, press, then we complain he and his partner give us nothing going forward too. It's a thankless task. You've got McTominay not offering a whole lot in any single department, Bruno pushing forward, we ask Fred to do 3 men's jobs for most of us his Utd career then wonder why Brazil rate him and yet all our fans say he's shite. Is there one other team that expect so much out of their midfielder in this age of specialists and then get confused when they're out of position, slightly confused and showing inconsistencies, is there even one?
This is nothing to do with the other night, that was just awful, even after Covid, he has to be better at the basics. But the appraisal some people have of his Utd career is off the mark acting like he's just rubbish. Well no, overall he's been pretty good for us the last few years and he'd be better if we had a viable plan.
Last edited:
Kleberson was too Brazillian which was not suited for European football, and especially English football.
So what I found strange is Fred being not that technical gifted, or flair, and getting so many caps now despite being meh for us.
That's strange for me.
Fred may consistently put in effort, but his overall performance over the year for us is not that consistent. The good is way outnumbered by the bad one. Brazil doesn't produce higher calibre midfielders anymore?
Yes. We have issue with not being able to form a proper midfield, which hinders individual midfielder to some extend. However, not to extend that individual midfielder can't showcase their ceiling at all. Pogba is still our best midfielder all these years despite not being reliable for selection, and inconsistent with his performance. Bruno's long initial great form may give false impression on our independence from Pogba's creativity and quality pass from deeper position. However, as time let thing average self out, Pogba as patchy, and flawed in our set up as he is, is still needed whenever he's available to play.
Last edited:
Sure he's been worse this season performance wise, although much better since Ralf came in as he's contributed to goals.
But overall why would Brazil care. From their point of view our dysfunction is not theirs. If he's doing a job for them and playing football that's all they'll be concerned about.
I disagree that Pogba is or has been our best midfielder. In theoretical talent maybe but I don't think he's ever been as reliable as Fred has for a few years. It's an injury, or inconsistent application across games and throughout 90 mins that lets him down.
Nani. And he was a much better players than most of the players we have had the post Fergie years. We used to have higher standards.
I do agree with you that he's our version of Kante, but Kante is so much more consistent. That is the main issue with Fred. When Fred is playing well, he is a huge asset to the team. After Ole got sacked, he was our best player in 4/5 games in a row. When he's playing poorly, he's usually the worst player on the pitch. He gives the ball away far too much. He makes mistakes that can't be ignored. This is a huge problem. If Fred played at his average and above level more often, I am positive that he would be seen in a much more positive light by our fans.
Fred also get dribbled past way more than Kante. I love Fred's desire to get about the pitch and contest the opposition, but he commits to challenges and gets dribbled past too often. Once they're past him, they're probably running at our back 4. He also gets outmuscled too often in 50/50's. Putting a better midfielder behind Fred isn't going to change these problems. Kante is also a far superior ball carrier.
Putting a DLP like Jorginho behind him would definitely help him. Even though I think his line breaking ability is underrated, he is not the player that is going to be calm in possession, consistently hit above 90% pass completion, and keep our play ticking over. I don't want to blame McTominay too much. I don't think it's fair to keep blaming teammates when a player we like makes mistakes. McTominay could do a better job of making himself available, and influencing the game, but in a many scenarios, that wouldn't stop Fred from giving the ball away in dangerous positions.
In an idea world, I would like to see a #6 and #8 brought in. I think Fred and McT are decent backup players, but shouldn't be starting every week. The chance of us buying two starting midfielders is likely slim. I can very easily see us bringing in a #6 and Fred being benched. Our managers love McTominay. He receives very high praise, and continuously starts. I see McT being moved to #8 when we finally have an actual #6. I would still play Fred, but our managers see something in McTominay that I don't see.
Last edited:
Sure, Kante probably would be more consistent but there is more than one reason. One is that yes, he is unarguably the better player. But secondly he has had this great structure alongside him. He doesn't have individual responsibility for building play. He has people that are positionally sound there too. Would he be as consistent otherwise? Maybe, maybe not, but he wasn't good when played in a role that misused him which shows the importance even for a world class player.
Yes Fred gets done often but he also wins the ball and can set counters off. If he's pressing and attempting something slightly high risk then you can't really swim without getting wet - sometimes it doesn't work. The problem is Fred is supposed to be defending as well because McTominay doesn't do that job, then we have a collection of unsuited or aging players. So naturally we start blasting Fred for missing a tackle when it results in a dangerous attack for the opposition but actually he's the one that has the attributes to go and do that, he shouldn't be shackled. Maybe he should use his head and adjust but at what cost then, then we not only have bad balance but players not even doing what their attributes dictate they should.
His passing is underrated on here. He does have some poor games but generally the stats are telling a different story. I don't want to delve too far into them because the microanalysis has been done to death, he's no magician but generally he has been the one man getting on the ball for us and finding team mates at a good rate.
Last edited:
Manchester United have a win rate of 59 per cent with Fred in the side this season compared to just 25 per cent without him. They are also unbeaten in his last 11 starts [@SkyFootball]
There seems to be a similar stat every season so it can't be just coincidence. Does he maybe only start the easy games or something?
There seems to be a similar stat every season so it can't be just coincidence. Does he maybe only start the easy games or something?
Runs around too much, bound to run into an oppo with the ball every now and then...
- Status