Now Fred really is a Red
SAMBA STAR HAS FOUND HIS FEET IN ENGLAND, TO SOLSKJAER’S DELIGHT
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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has saluted Brazilian star Fred for going from zero to hero at Manchester United. Fred was labelled a £52million flop after a disappointing first season in which he looked miles off the Premier League pace after his arrival from Ukranian Champions Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 26-year-old South American suffered through not speaking English, and found the football faster and more physical than he was used to in a debut season to forget.
But Fred has now picked up the language, got used to the speed of the Premier League, and learned from his mistakes – and is a firm favourite with the fans at Old Trafford.
And he heads to Goodison Park for today’s clash with Everton with boss Solskjaer delighted at his belated emergence as the player they hoped they had signed.
“He had a tough first season, but ever since we came in we have shown him that we believe in him, and he’s known that.
“He struggled with the language last season, and to be honest I would not have expected that to be a problem when he came in because Jose was the manager, so he probably communicated with him really well.
Communicate
being. He’s always positive, he works hard and tries his best. It did not always work out last season, even in training sometimes, but we encouraged him to keep being himself and he is quietly confident.
“The season started a bit slow for him because he came back a bit later because he got married and because of the Copa America, so it had to be planned. So he missed the pre-season, but I am
delighted with him.” something missing from the Brazilian’s game – goals. The midfielder responded with two late goals in the 5-0 Europa League mauling of Bruges, but Solskjaer wants more.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to be alive when he scored his next goals!” said the United chief.
“He’s had loads of attempts, he gets in and around the box often enough, and his right foot is decent, but he’s just not had the luck.”
Encouraged