Under ETH we've gone back to using Fred as the deeper midfielder, which is unfortunate as he's not as good there. But ETH obviously wants his superior ball-playing and positioning there and pushes McTominay further forward. Hopefully we'll get FDJ in and then Fred can be unleashed back into the more aggressive role that he should be playing.
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Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 56
- Goals
- 6
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 10
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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This. Fred as DM is probably a lower EPL player. But as B2B or ball winning midfielder he is top notch.
As usual industrious and good work with the tempo. However, thought he was a bit sloppy with the ball in deeper positions, which we all know is nothing new. He tries to do it all and it's not a lack of ability, just needs a bit of concentration and knowing his role because he's too a busy body type.
DonnyIf pressing football is the goal he has to start, he just needs someone next to him to sit and control tempo. Now who could do that..
Looked good today didn’t he? Definitely like the thought of using him against weaker opposition.
Yes. Thank you
Maybe its just me but I just can't warm to him. Fantastic workrate and every now and then proves he's Brazilian by pulling off some some nice moves but he's just not good enough in my opinion.
He gets unfairly lumped with Mctominay as part of Mcfred but there's just no way he should be starting for us. His first touch isn't of the required level and his passing both long and short is erratic, he's also not the smartest in positioning himself to stop attacks.
He gets unfairly lumped with Mctominay as part of Mcfred but there's just no way he should be starting for us. His first touch isn't of the required level and his passing both long and short is erratic, he's also not the smartest in positioning himself to stop attacks.
100%. He seems to be so polarising with fans, but for me I struggle to understand the Fred acceptance never mind worship. He drives me insane watching him and I'm at the point of no return in my opinion of him. Tries hard etc but no where near the required standard
Agreed. I think ETH has been forced into this by necessity (at least I hope so). If De Jong comes, then Fred can be shifted forward, where he is, I maintain, a real asset to the team.
After watching frenkie play so deep last night I'm now convinced that we don't need a specialist DM. He and Fred can both share the defensive duties, with Fred being more physical and mobile of the two. Frenkie is a true playmaker from deep.
I thought he was very good overall.
One of our better players in the first half and then a complete mess in the second I think.
His touch and short passing is just too unreliable in that deep position.
It seemed as if if Fred was a 1 man midfield.
He's generally had a pretty good pre-season but he was sloppy today, possibly down to the pitch but he felt more erratic than usual.
It did and he was, but some of the cock ups were typical of him and not the first time it happened.
I haven’t seen a midfielder give so many balls away in my life. He has flashes of a decent player and his work rate is great but the amount of mistakes especially for a midfielder isn’t acceptable.
Thats the most frustrating part with him, he looks excellent a lot of the time then just starts giving it away for fun.
He can be all over the place with his passing sometimes, he'd be a hell of a player if he could be a consistent passer!
Today’s game was a prefect example of why Fred should not be a starter for Man United in midfield, specially in the deepest No. 6 role.
He has a great engine, presses well, wins the ball back a lot, is capable of playing some nice through balls and generally covers every blade of grass. I can understand why a lot of our fanbase thinks he’s a good option, particularly given the options we have.
But almost every game, he is capable of some absolutely cardinal errors in critical areas of the pitch - which can completely ruin a game for us, especially against quality opposition.
He has a great engine, presses well, wins the ball back a lot, is capable of playing some nice through balls and generally covers every blade of grass. I can understand why a lot of our fanbase thinks he’s a good option, particularly given the options we have.
But almost every game, he is capable of some absolutely cardinal errors in critical areas of the pitch - which can completely ruin a game for us, especially against quality opposition.
Outstanding performance first half, second half Villa came out with a bit of pride and caught Fred and others cold. I’m sure the haters will focus more on the 10 mins of the second half and not the 45 mins of the first. People will also forget the ball to create the second…..
That was a lovely pass.
Had some good moments in the first half, but it would be a massive mistake to go with him in a deeper role if we can't sign De Jong. I actually really rate Fred, but he is not suited to this role at all. It will cost us.
Brilliant first he when he had to handle the whole midfield on his own. Poor second until he got subbed.
It's not about hating Fred. It's just that you can expect more opposition would be coming at us like the second half, and this is Fred in no 6 role we know for all this time. It's not the suitable position for him, and not long ago he is himself described so.
Ideally FdJ picking up the ball and progressed while Fred started higher, but withdraw. Burdening Fred with being the outlet for out defenders is risky.
I thought he was fine in the first half and faded away in the second. He isn't suited as a lone "6", I felt we played with a lob sided triangle today, Fred slightly behind DvB and Bruno, but Fred should be the one playing next to Bruno in such a system, in front of a capable ball winner. One the club doesn't even seem to target in the transfer market... its getting comedic at this point..
I get that if it was a PL game but surely that first 15mins on tour with the conditions, wouldn’t you be equally thinking about getting through the first 15 mins and not getting injured? Most of those players knew they were coming off and def wouldn’t have thought Villa would come out playing like it was a cup game.
I agree he’s not a 6 but I think generally on tour he’s done fine there. Let’s not forget he outplayed the very French lad that everyone wanted us to sign who is a specialist 6…..
If they haven't mind off the game, then it's another issue.
You meant Kante? If so, Kante is not a specialist. He improved to become one, and very great one, but his best role is similar to Fred's. One off game doesn't tell you anything. Fred in no 6 role has shown issues on many occasions.
We aren't interested in a traditional number 6 ball winner type. De Jong is earmarked to be our deepest midfielder.
It’s that definition of insanity again.
Keep doing something that will always fail.
As in team selection.
Fred is not a DM or a holding player.
Never was and never will be.
It has always been clear as day that his small stature and physique, count against him in that role.
All he has is tenacity and a good engine.
But, Ole kept playing him there and ETH is doing the same.
He was used as one man CM holding player today and was getting beaten and swamped at times.
As we saw last season, when he was put in his natural, box to box, attacking role, he can be very effective , driving forward play, even providing assists and the odd goal himself
Give Fred his due.
He works his socks off and never gives up trying, whatever the manager asks of him.
Let’s get a proper CDM in and use Fred where he’s best suited.
Keep doing something that will always fail.
As in team selection.
Fred is not a DM or a holding player.
Never was and never will be.
It has always been clear as day that his small stature and physique, count against him in that role.
All he has is tenacity and a good engine.
But, Ole kept playing him there and ETH is doing the same.
He was used as one man CM holding player today and was getting beaten and swamped at times.
As we saw last season, when he was put in his natural, box to box, attacking role, he can be very effective , driving forward play, even providing assists and the odd goal himself
Give Fred his due.
He works his socks off and never gives up trying, whatever the manager asks of him.
Let’s get a proper CDM in and use Fred where he’s best suited.
Wasn‘t mind off, I don’t think the 15 mins of the second was the measure. Not Kante, Kamara.
Might be right, but you have to remember, that the modern number 6 types are still good at ball winning. FDJ isn't that and he isn't even at the club at the minute. It is bordering negligence that the club doesn't act as it should.
That’s why we are trying to sign Frankie.….
Will be interesting to see how a team who seeks control of the ball can accommodate a midfielder who gives the ball away so easily
Very good in the first half, but poor in the 2nd. If we can't get FDJ, trying to go back to Fred as a #6 would be a mistake. Fred is fine as a #8. We have to sign a #6 at all costs. ETH's comments about moulding a player into this role if we can't make a signing is kind of concerning. I assume he means Fred, but we've seen him try and play there for a while now...
The 20 minutes in this game may be the measure stick for everything, but it's reminder of the known issues like how bad DDG at commanding his box especially when defending corner; or how Lindelof passive defending mode would easily be outdone by a direct pacy attacker. If the players don't mind off, then they underperformed. Simple
As stated in my previous post, Fred even described his preferred/ best position as a no 8, all action midfielder. All things point toward the need to sign a proper deep midfielder, else highly likely we got found out again when the seasons start. And it would be 100% on EtH for not doing his homework while being too naive.
Kamara is not exactly going head to head with Fred since they position far apart. Fred performed better in his role in first half. But I don't know why you bring up this point. You can check the Kamara thread, where I am indifferent on Kamara. He may be an option for squad depth as free agent similar to Eriksen, but I never think he would be the ultimate fix for our midfield.
I thought he did well today overall. He's got that deeper role in him but it's not ideal, of course. He's basically been playing that role for years alongside a McTominay that doesn't show for the ball. Ideally we would sign De Jong and have Fred operating box to box in a way that VDB was probably supposed to today.
Some pass that was do the second, took every Villa player out of the game.
Not a fan of him in this role at all. Not secure enough in possession to play so deep, and it is very easy to fend him off. De Jong can't come soon enough.
He's no DLP. Play Garner in that role for now until we bring in someone like FDJ, and move Fred further up the pitch where he's actually good.
some weird fans here, he had a great first half and will play a key role in this team. on the flip side i have no idea what donny did today.
put De Jong alongside Fred and they could compliment each other well. Freds role wont be to dictate play from deep ETH isnt stupid, its a pre season friendly and hes just trying out a few things.
put De Jong alongside Fred and they could compliment each other well. Freds role wont be to dictate play from deep ETH isnt stupid, its a pre season friendly and hes just trying out a few things.
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