Fred suggests Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been getting his Man Utd tactics wrong
Manchester United midfielder Fred has confessed he prefers being deployed in a more advanced position after producing an assist for Brazil in their World Cup qualifier against Uruguay
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Manchester United star Fred has admitted he prefers being deployed as a box-to-box midfielder.
The Brazil international, 28, is usually played as a defensive midfielder by Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Fred revealed his favoured position to the press after assisting Paris Saint-Germain ace Neymar during Brazil’s 4-1 victory against Uruguay on Thursday evening.
As quoted by UOL, he said: “Very happy for the victory, a great game. It was one of the best matches I played for the national team, participating a little more in the attack.
“When it comes to defending, don’t lose the ball, and press, defending well. It was a great game for everyone. I’m very happy.
Manchester United star Fred sees himself as a box-to-box midfielder
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Image:
REUTERS)
“We talk a lot about this role of second defensive midfielder. In Europe, you say it’s a box-to-box. You participate in the ball getting out and are able to participate more in the attack.
“If you lose the ball at the front, you’re already there to challenge for the ball. I really like to play like this. I prefer it, my ideal position is to get more involved in the attack.”
Fred has rarely featured in attacking positions since joining Man Utd in June 2018, scoring just three goals and producing one assist in the Premier League.
Some Red Devils fans on social media are calling for the player to be pushed further forward, with one tweeting: “Fred is a terrible defensive midfielder, but a decent central midfielder.”
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Another wrote: “If you want to get the best out of Fred, play him alongside a good defensive midfielder. He’s looked good when he’s played next to Casemiro or Fabinho.”
Fred has been criticised on several occasions during his trophy-less spell at Old Trafford, with Roy Keane slamming his performance against Southampton in August.
The former Man Utd skipper later said: “I think if you want to play for a big team in midfield you’ve got to hang your hat on something to say well, ‘You’re brilliant at going forward, or brilliant defensively or he’s got a goal in him.’
“I don’t see any of them in Fred.”
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But Fred defended his performances in an interview with Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand in September.
When asked if he was at his peak, the midfielder said: “I believe so, as you’re at a really good age. It’s an age when you’ve already experienced a great deal since turning professional, I’ve been through good and bad things.
“Also you’re playing at a massive club like United, the biggest in the world for me. I think it is the peak of my career, It’s a marvellous time for me, my best moment.”