Hands up if you owe Fred an apology

MAME DIOUF 32

Full Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2013
Messages
3,577
o/

I thought he was useless because he wasn't performing. I thought he was lazy because both Mourinho and Ole seemed reluctant to pick him. I couldn't see what he was good at, I thought he was nothing more than a brilliant prank City played on us.

What's he played now, something like 18 out of 20 games including the Christmas/new year period? I've probably given him MotM in half of those appearances. We've been total rubbish most of the season but imagine how much worse it might've been without Fred playing like 3 men in midfield.

So I absolutely owe Fred an apology. I still see big limitations but I'm convinced that if everyone had his attitude we would have many more points.
 

arnie_ni

Full Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Messages
15,093
Me to a point.

I thought he was useless, but he was playing poorly up until this season.

He's an entirely different player now
 

Paxi

Dagestani MMA Boiled Egg Expert
Joined
Mar 4, 2017
Messages
27,678
Thought he wouldn't make it here but he's a fine player.
 

Pexbo

Winner of the 'I'm not reading that' medal.
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
68,413
Location
Brizzle
Supports
Big Days
\(•_•)
-( - (>
-/ - \
 

Art Vandelay

Full Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Messages
5,729
Location
Northern Ireland
Me. I regularly call him shit, but he's been getting better and was our best player by a mile today. Hopefully it's the start of something very good from him.
 

LInkash

Full Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2008
Messages
8,207
Yeah, I thought he was done after that dreadful performance in that cup/Europa game (I forget which) where all he did was give the ball away
 

Nou_Camp99

what would Souness do?
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Messages
10,274
Me for sure. Didn't rate him. Proving me wrong. Looks a good player playing in a dreadfully average team.
 

dannyrhinos89

OMG socks and sandals lol!
Joined
Nov 24, 2013
Messages
14,384
I’m one of the few that stuck by him. It was obvious there was a good player in there as he was always the standout player for shaktar against champions league teams. He was obviously a player that needed time to settle.
 

12OunceEpilogue

In perfect harmony
Scout
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
18,392
Location
Wigan
Aye probably, I didn't abuse him as such but I thought he'd flopped past the point of redemption. He's one of our best and most important players now.
 

VP89

Pogba's biggest fan
Joined
Dec 6, 2015
Messages
31,121
Neville does, and he did give him one on commentary. Was praising him a lot today.
 

charlenefan

Far less insightful than the other Charley
Joined
Aug 17, 2005
Messages
33,052
There were signs last season (PSG away) so stranger things have happened than Fred's form this season
 

Sylar

Full Member
Joined
May 15, 2007
Messages
40,254
Was it psg away that he played? Thought that was the first time he looked like he had something to make it at United
 

TheHeya

Full Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2012
Messages
983
I owed Lingard an apology 2 years ago and look how that has turned out.
 

RedIan

Full Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2015
Messages
3,091
Location
Manchester
I thought he was way out of his depth however as hes played regularly he has improved and is now a decent midfielder. Not a brilliant midfielder like Scholes Carrick Keane Beckham Robson Ince - but hes ok in this pretty average team. Until he adds scoring and more assists to his game he remains a workhorse.
 

Maluco

Last Man Standing 3 champion 2019/20
Joined
Jan 4, 2014
Messages
5,765
Absolutely!! I had him pegged as a mercenary who wasn’t going to give us his best, but he has been superb and put those criticisms to rest.

Living in Brazil, it’s extra fun to have a Brazilian playing well for the team. In today’s market, 50 million is actually starting to look like a fair deal.

I can’t wait to see him in a good system with better players round him. He is my favorite United player at the moment, no question!

Sorry Fred!
 

Paul_Scholes18

Full Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2014
Messages
13,891
I wanted him to be given a chance last season. Did wonder why he never got the chance.
Thought there must be something wrong with him, but I guess we may never fully know.

Often liked him when he has played.
 

Sandikan

aka sex on the beach
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
52,710
The only good thing from the Pogba injury was that it gave Fred a do or die run at becoming a regular.
And he's taken it well so far.
 

Ace of Spades

Full Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2013
Messages
5,172
I thought he had the ability, but not the mentality and maybe the pressure got to him and why he could not settle. But, he has done great to improve and adjust to the PL. Maybe that shows that a little patience is needed with all players. The advantage for him is that he is not a sick note like some players, at least that gives you a chance to learn and improve on the training field.
 

thegregster

Harbinger of new information
Joined
Nov 4, 2009
Messages
13,446
The sort of bang average player Liverpool fans used to try to convince themselves was boss la.

Doesn't score goals. Doesn't have many assists.

A squad player at best if you want to challenge for the title.
 

#07

makes new threads with tweets in the OP
Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Messages
23,258
I have trashed Fred for a good year, happy to accept he's finally showing me up.
 

harms

Shining Star of Paektu Mountain
Staff
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
27,952
Location
Moscow
I believed in him longer than most but at some point gave up on him. Always had a soft spot for a little Brazilian though.
 

fps

Full Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2018
Messages
5,478
I always wanted him to get a run of games and thought how Mourinho treated him was disgraceful.

But I also felt he must be too poor in training to merit a start and his performances on the pitch proved it.

Now I am delighted I was so wrong and am annoyed at how little he played after initially signing.
 

Canagel

Full Member
Joined
May 26, 2016
Messages
13,888
Not me. He hasn't made a "turnaround" contrary to popular opinion on here. He was good last season in his limited minutes and better this one simply by playing consecutive games. That's it.
 

gerdm07

Thinks we should have kept Pereira
Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Messages
2,718
My hands up. I blame Mourinho though. His coaching set Fred back a year and now Ole has him back on track. :)
 

bucky

Full Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2011
Messages
9,572
Still not entirely convinced. He needs to keep it up. My problem wasn't necessarily with him, but what we could have had instead of him for the same money.
 

CallyRed

Full Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
10,926
Football fans are fickle. Takes 2 or 3 bad games on the spin and he will be deemed 'shit' again.
 

Bebestation

Im a doctor btw, my IQ destroys yours
Joined
Oct 9, 2019
Messages
11,862
Honestly I don't think he's average at all, - if he was playing for a rival now I'd be absolutely jealous.