Manchester United midfielder Fred felt pleased with his performance at the weekend and believes that he is adapting to life in English football.
The 26-year-old was speaking to Andy Mitten of The National about his display against Liverpool on Sunday, as well as his time at the club thus far, with the journalist subsequently sharing a link to the interview on his Twitter profile @AndyMitten.
Had a chat with Fred after the game yesterday at Old Trafford. https://t.co/2y3CHcgZSC
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) October 21, 2019
Fred came to Old Trafford from Shakhtar Donetsk in a £52m move (as per Sky Sports) in summer 2018 but has scored just once so far for United and has been criticised by several pundits in recent months.
Roy Keane accused him of “cheating” his team-mates in a defeat to Manchester City in April on Sky Sports [via The Independent], while Gary Neville claimed in his Sky Sports podcast that he has failed to justify his transfer fee, and Michael Owen called him “a moderate player” on BT Sport [via Daily Mail] earlier this month.
While there were some positives to Fred’s performance against Liverpool – he won two tackles and his passing success rate of 91.3% was the highest of any United player to start the game, as per WhoScored – these Manchester United fans on Twitter remain unconvinced by the Brazilian’s ability:
He’s dreadful tbh. He runs back towards our goal far too often and tends to prefer the simple sideways and backwards pass. He needs to recieve possession and turn forward and be more offensive minded. He was bang average yesterday
— Kelvin M (@Kelvrkid81) October 21, 2019
He looks out of his depth at this level, games pass him by, he offers nothing tbh. He was poor yesterday, our worst player on the pitch yet again, if he doesn’t improve before the end of the season he has to go!
— Steve Sykes (@SteveLeeSykes) October 21, 2019
Andy his passing is awful. That is a basic skill that a midfielder at all levels should have. 52 million pounds?! I’d love to know if he was a Josè or Ed signing. Surely the latter. United have let a lead slip too often this season. Unfit or tactically naive?
— Barry Shmeizer (@DocUnited) October 21, 2019
Paid £52m for him, and he’s regularly outperformed by a younger, club grown player.
Not even like he’s had spells of quality, only had glimpses, it’s just not enough.
I’d genuinely prefer to see Garner play over him, see if he can flourish like McTominay has
— Pov (@CallMePov) October 21, 2019
He showed that the ball can bounce off him every time he tries to control it..
— Simon (@rigby_rigby) October 21, 2019
If he is the future for Utd…Well its going to be bleak.
— Sean Mc Laughlin (@thebattler2000) October 21, 2019
What did you make of Fred’s display against Liverpool at the weekend? Do you think he can become a vital part of Manchester United’s line-up this season? Comment below with your views!
