Fred is having a difficult first season at Manchester United.
José Mourinho, the man responsible for splashing out £52 million (via The Times) for the Brazilian’s signature, often overlooked the midfielder, who then suffered with a severe lack of playing time.
That has continued under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the 25-year-old not featuring for United in nearly 50 days, but there is some hope for Fred after all.
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His last appearance game in the FA Cup against Reading when he was substituted after the hour mark.
Fred has just one goal to his name for United since becoming the club’s fourth-most expensive signing.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United have given ‘very positive’ feedback on his training performances and feel it’s only a matter of time before he can ‘properly adapt’ to the English game before getting more time on the pitch.
Fred is represented by former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva and his experience in the English game should benefit the former Shakhtar Donetsk man in the future.
While Solskjaer has compared Fred’s situation to Diego Forlan and Juan Sebastian Veron, we’re hoping he has a better fortune than the two South American stars at Old Trafford.
“He [Fred]’s a good lad, same with Andreas,” Solskjaer said, as per Bleacher Report. “He’s working really hard, you’ve got Scott [McTominay]. And when they get the chance, because they will, we want to see improvement.
“We know there’s a very, very good player there with Fred so hopefully he’ll adjust to the English game because there’s no doubt there’s talent, absolutely no doubt.
“It’s always difficult to come here. One: It’s Man United, you’re expected to perform straight away. Two: It’s an English league that he’s not used to. But he’s a Brazilian international, Andreas is a Brazilian international, the talent is there and when they get the chance the next time… it’s easier to come into a team that’s doing well.
“I didn’t do Andreas or Scott or Fred any favours when I put them in against Reading when we’ve had nine changes. Next time they come in there might be one or two changes, and it’s easier, and then we’ll see what they’re capable of.
“There’s loads of players that have come in and found the first few months difficult. One of the best players I’ve played with that struggled the most was Diego Forlan. Veron [is another] you know, those two fantastic players and it took a bit of time. But when they settled they performed.
“So I don’t think he needs to worry too much. He’ll get chances.”
