Fred now facing a new fight
THERE has been somewhat of a resurgence for United midfielder Fred in recent weeks.
Even given the poor recent run of form for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, the Brazilian international has demonstrated his abilities with a steady run in the first team.
In wins over City and Tottenham, he produced back-to-back displays which saw him dominate against two of the best midfields in Europe.
However, he, and the whole United squad have hit reset with three dire showings since. The two wins at the start of the month might be categorised as clinical counter-attacking performances, but both were achieved with thanks to a dynamic midfield axis which was both disciplined and mobile.
Sadly, such restricted play quickly unraveled when Fred and Scott McTominay failed twice in a week to break down two of the worst defences in the league.
It is still unclear how Solskjaer will adapt his midfield to accommodate for the returning Paul Pogba.
The new challenge for Fred is to keep his place amid the return of a player who created more in 25 minutes than he did in 90 on Sunday.
Many were surprised when Solskjaer launched his new-look United with a midfield trio which saw Pogba deployed on the right-hand side. His cameo on Sunday reminded fans exactly why the Norwegian made such a change, with Pogba seamlessly adopting the ‘quarterback role’ which saw him dictate the entire tempo of the team.
If fit, or even half-fit, it is unfeasible to envisage why Pogba would not start in this United midfield over the coming weeks. That means both Fred and McTominay are left to fight for their preferred deeper role alongside the World Cup winner.
Fred’s ability as a natural leftfooted option should give him an advantage over the Scotland international, but it is down to him to prove that his recent success is not merely down to fluke.
All three should expect to start when United host Newcastle on Boxing Day, but with the return of Pogba neither Fred nor McTominay can take their recent place in the first-team for granted anymore.