Fred’s back with bite after Wolves howler
IF there was a moment that encapsulated Fred’s first United season in a microcosm it was in the Premier League defeat at Wolves.
Fred received the ball 25 yards from goal, miscontrolled, Wolves seized on the lapse and equalised. Positive intentions but a negative outcome.
Fred was playing ahead of Nemanja Matic and if it were Matic whom collected the pass from David de Gea the goalkeeper would have almost instantly received the ball.
Matic’s selection against Leicester at the weekend was all but confirmed at Carrington on Friday morning yet it was still daring of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to replace him with Fred on 67 minutes with United narrowly ahead.
That marked Fred’s first competitive appearance in 143 days.
It is easy to forget the tactical acumen Solskjaer displayed during his honeymoon period, be it Lingard as a centre forward, Romelu Lukaku from the right or Paul Pogba targeting Chelsea from the left.
The introductions of Fred and Tahith Chong at the weekend were proactive measures to counter United’s reticence. Fred showed in half the time Matic had why he is already poised to usurp the Serbian in the midfield pecking order.
Twice Fred sparked attacks that resulted in attempts at goal and his discipline was immaculate.
Positioned on the left of the midfield axis, his collaboration with Tahith Chong interrupted Leicester’s sterile dominance and put United on the front foot again.
Even an unsuccessful dribble was forceful enough to spring United on the counter.
The handling of a midfield devoid of Pogba was one of the most tactful aspects of Solskjaer’s in-game management.
With Matic and Scott McTominay starting together, Matic held the fort while McTominay was allowed off the leash to set the tempo and get about a Leicester side that, on the teamsheet, was arguably stronger.
When Matic’s number was up, it was McTominay’s turn to take the back seat and Fred to provide the adventure.
Solskjaer cautioned McTominay was ‘learning his new role as a sitting midfielder,’ what with United not replacing Marouane Fellaini or Ander Herrera.
Fred was billed as Michael Carrick’s replacement though United have only used him as the sole holding midfielder at Molineux, where he was culpable for the equaliser.
The preference for a midfield two provides Fred with more security and his best performances last season away at Paris Saint-Germain and at home to Barcelona - were from deeper roles alongside McTominay.
Fred’s highlight came within five minutes of his introduction when he dispossessed Ricardo Pereira inside the Leicester third and angled a pass for Andreas Pereira.
On a day where United tactically treated a home game like an away game, Fred was the ideal conduit between defence and attack.
His average positioning was more advanced than Matic’s and Solskjaer will feel that justified his choice of Matic as a starter, with Fred introduced to enliven the attack – a third of Fred’s passes were forward.
Starts against Astana and Rochdale for Fred are inevitable and a chance to warm up for the main events.
Arsenal and Liverpool are visiting Old Trafford over the next five weeks.