[RedIan]

He made a few errors in the first half but i felt made up for it with some good closing down and pure graft.
2nd half apart from the mismatch on the back post he played really well.

 

[The Corinthian]

He's an incredible pressing midfielder.

 

[#07]

I am not Fred's biggest fan. However, despite a shaky start, he showed up offensively tonight.

Only real issue I have with him is not jumping to challenge Alonso for Barca's first. That was a collective failure though. At least three United players f'd up on that goal. Arguably more.

Fred forced constant turnovers in midfield. Picked out Rashy on the run. If only he could pass consistently...

 

[Scarecrow]

He’s a maverick.

 

[Malone_Post]

I can’t believe it’s taken so long for a manager to realise that he’s a pressing #8. And when you use him like that he can he an incredibly effective player. He was absolutely outstanding in that second half today.

Jose & Ole trying to use him as deep playmaking midfielder when pretty much everyone could see that wasn’t his game was one of the more infuriating experiments of recent years. And of those there has been quite a few.

 

[ti vu]

I am not Fred's biggest fan. However, despite a shaky start, he showed up offensively tonight.

Only real issue I have with him is not jumping to challenge Alonso for Barca's first. That was a collective failure though. At least three United players f'd up on that goal. Arguably more.

Fred forced constant turnovers in midfield. Picked out Rashy on the run. If only he could pass consistently...

For Alonso goal, it's more the set piece man marking assignment issue for me. In no circumstances, Fred is suitable for man marking and defending set piece like this. He has no physical ability for it. He could jump, but he's in no position to add pressure to Alonso with that flight of the delivery.

 

[Red_Heisenberg]

Usually get to see the highs and lows of Fred from game to game.

Today was something new. He treated us to them in each half of the same game.

 

[#07]

For Alonso goal, it's more the set piece man marking assignment issue for me. In no circumstances, Fred is suitable for man marking and defending set piece like this. He has no physical ability for it. He could jump, but he's in no position to add pressure to Alonso with that flight of the delivery.

Just back into Alonso and stop him getting good leverage. Gary Neville was a master of it when marking people arriving at the far post.

 

[ti vu]

Just back into Alonso and stop him getting good leverage. Gary Neville was a master of it when marking people arriving at the far post.

I believed Alonso completely lost Fred. AWB ended up closer to Alonso. By then, it would be clear foul if Fred just barged into Alonso and no where near to have the excuse of competing for the ball, or having no where to get out of the way.

The point being Fred is bad with anticipating the flight of the ball. He shouldn't be tasked with this man marking task.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Set price talk aside, his overall performance was absolutely brilliant. Really top class display and altogether showed all the facets of his game

 

[meamth]

So this is a player who is accused for being average and have no qualities.

He can perform against one of Europe's best teams and still our own fans discrediting this guy.

He is no Rolls Royce, but he is in fact a very good quality player for us.

 

[Kramer]

I don’t know what people are on about. He is really not upto the standards of a Man United midfielder (even as a back-up).

A ‘decent’ 2nd half performance doesn’t make up for the fact that he was woeful in the 1st half. Gave the ball away so many times in the 1st half. An absolute liability and source of frustration for his teammates. You can see while playing out the back, nobody wants to play a ball to his feet if an opposition player is even remotely close to him. He limits the way we play so much.

Energy and intensity are absolute base stakes when you’re playing for a club like Man United. If your best performances as a midfielder consistently come when we don’t have the ball, then the writing is on the wall.

We need to aim higher in terms of our expectations from what a midfielder can deliver and ETH knows it. I expect Fred to be out the door soon along with Mct. If we can get replacements in.

 

[Golden Nugget]

I don’t know what people are on about. He is really not upto the standards of a Man United midfielder (even as a back-up).

A ‘decent’ 2nd half performance doesn’t make up for the fact that he was woeful in the 1st half. Gave the ball away so many times in the 1st half. An absolute liability and source of frustration for his teammates. You can see while playing out the back, nobody wants to play a ball to his feet if an opposition player is even remotely close to him. He limits the way we play so much.

Energy and intensity are absolute base stakes when you’re playing for a club like Man United. If your best performances as a midfielder consistently come when we don’t have the ball, then the writing is on the wall.

We need to aim higher in terms of our expectations from what a midfielder can deliver and ETH knows it. I expect Fred to be out the door soon along with Mct. If we can get replacements in.

If you think his second half was ‘decent’ then I think you’ve already made up your mind on Fred. Yeah, energy and intensity are base stakes - but very little players does it to the levels of Fred.

Let’s also keep in mind that if everyone was fit, he wouldn’t be a starter in most games, but would be an option to start in big games - which is what you’d want for your backup players.

 

[Isotope]

Lord Fred, he gives and takes the ball away

 

[Kramer]

If you think his second half was ‘decent’ then I think you’ve already made up your mind on Fred. Yeah, energy and intensity are base stakes - but very little players does it to the levels of Fred.

Let’s also keep in mind that if everyone was fit, he wouldn’t be a starter in most games, but would be an option to start in big games - which is what you’d want for your backup players.

Well he’s been playing for us for almost 5 years. So yes mind is pretty much made up.

He will have a few decent games every now and then.

But overall well below the standards we need long term, even as a bench option. His lows are just absolutely ridiculously low. I trust the manager to make the right call.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

Fred plays like he’s got ADHD. I don’t think it will be hard to get an upgrade on him in the summer.

 

[bosnian_red]

I don’t know what people are on about. He is really not upto the standards of a Man United midfielder (even as a back-up).

A ‘decent’ 2nd half performance doesn’t make up for the fact that he was woeful in the 1st half. Gave the ball away so many times in the 1st half. An absolute liability and source of frustration for his teammates. You can see while playing out the back, nobody wants to play a ball to his feet if an opposition player is even remotely close to him. He limits the way we play so much.

Energy and intensity are absolute base stakes when you’re playing for a club like Man United. If your best performances as a midfielder consistently come when we don’t have the ball, then the writing is on the wall.

We need to aim higher in terms of our expectations from what a midfielder can deliver and ETH knows it. I expect Fred to be out the door soon along with Mct. If we can get replacements in.

One of the biggest signs of someone knowing very little about football/judging players is if somebody thinks "energy and intensity are absolute base stakes"
Not everybody can press well. Not everybody knows how to win the ball back as often as Fred does. Fred isn't an amazing player, but he is a very good squad player and we'll have a hard time replacing him. Because you need someone like him.

It's funny that people make their mind up on him because of his bad games, when his bad games pretty exclusively come in the same scenario. If you don't have a DM behind him, he will struggle as he's not a positionally sound player. You add a high pressing team to that, and yeah it won't go well. Put him in a role where he can be an attacking box to box, with a high pressing role and a solid base behind him, and you'll see the quality player that we saw vs Barca. Woeful in the 1st? What the feck? He was arguably MotM? fecking nonsense that.

 

[stoinz]

The Schrödinger midfielder. Simultaneously world class and pub level at the same time. Should be upgraded on.

 

[Kramer]

One of the biggest signs of someone knowing very little about football/judging players is if somebody thinks "energy and intensity are absolute base stakes"
Not everybody can press well. Not everybody knows how to win the ball back as often as Fred does. Fred isn't an amazing player, but he is a very good squad player and we'll have a hard time replacing him. Because you need someone like him.

It's funny that people make their mind up on him because of his bad games, when his bad games pretty exclusively come in the same scenario. If you don't have a DM behind him, he will struggle as he's not a positionally sound player. You add a high pressing team to that, and yeah it won't go well. Put him in a role where he can be an attacking box to box, with a high pressing role and a solid base behind him, and you'll see the quality player that we saw vs Barca. Woeful in the 1st? What the feck? He was arguably MotM? fecking nonsense that.

I understand. We have been so mediocre for so long as a club that people forget what it takes to be at the top.

Make my mind up over his bad games? It should be abundantly apparent to whoever has watched Fred over an extended period of time, that we really need an upgrade on him if we aspire to be challenging for trophies. Even in his better games for us, he can misplace 5-10 yard passes and has a catastrophic error in him.

If you think Fred was good in the 1st half, then I have nothing more to say really.

I suppose you think ETH knows a bit more about football? Watch him bin Fred the 1st opportunity he gets either this summer or next.

And you can quote me then

 

[GL21]

I understand. We have been so mediocre for so long as a club that people forget what it takes to be at the top.

Make my mind up over his bad games? It should be abundantly apparent to whoever has watched Fred over an extended period of time, that we really need an upgrade on him if we aspire to be challenging for trophies. Even in his better games for us, he can misplace 5-10 yard passes and has a catastrophic error in him.

If you think Fred was good in the 1st half, then I have nothing more to say really.

I suppose you think ETH knows a bit more about football? Watch him bin Fred the 1st opportunity he gets either this summer or next.

And you can quote me then

Thank God there are some see it this way in the hyperbole thread of Fred. Gave away countless fouls, 2 of which were just outside the 18 yard box and charged around running into people. He did get himself involved in a few nice moves but had a stinking first half. Avoid this thread if you understand football and aspire to have quality midfielders again

 

[RonaldoVII]

Awful for the goal though there’s no way he should be marking Alonso. Great game apart from that.

Fred was marking Kounde. Malacia should've had Alonso.

 

[MadDogg]

Thank God there are some see it this way in the hyperbole thread of Fred. Gave away countless fouls, 2 of which were just outside the 18 yard box and charged around running into people.

Three or four of those fouls were perfectly fine tackles where the referee bought into Barca's play-acting. Likewise there were two times that Fred should have won a freekick but the ref decided not to give it.

 

[OrcaFat]

Fred is Fred. I hope that clears things up.

 

[Rossa]

I believed Alonso completely lost Fred. AWB ended up closer to Alonso. By then, it would be clear foul if Fred just barged into Alonso and no where near to have the excuse of competing for the ball, or having no where to get out of the way.

The point being Fred is bad with anticipating the flight of the ball. He shouldn't be tasked with this man marking task.

Agree. Fred was poor, but he should never be the one to assigned to that role in the first place.

 

[eire-red]

Brilliant in the second half. I'd still argue he's not up to the level of squad player, but he does offer a lot on the pitch in the right circumstances.

He struggles big time against high pressing teams when playing deeper, but you can see when he plays more advanced why he excels in games where there's a lot of balls to be won and open space in midfield on the transition.

I'll retract my overly harsh comments after the first Leeds game, but with the caveat that a calming presence like Casemiro is needed for Fred to focus on what he is good at. Seems like a good lad to have in the squad as well for morale and team spirit.

 

[Oranges038]

I understand. We have been so mediocre for so long as a club that people forget what it takes to be at the top.

Make my mind up over his bad games? It should be abundantly apparent to whoever has watched Fred over an extended period of time, that we really need an upgrade on him if we aspire to be challenging for trophies. Even in his better games for us, he can misplace 5-10 yard passes and has a catastrophic error in him.

If you think Fred was good in the 1st half, then I have nothing more to say really.

I suppose you think ETH knows a bit more about football? Watch him bin Fred the 1st opportunity he gets either this summer or next.

And you can quote me then

You're right.. He's an awful player, I've always been of that opinion. How he has endeared himself to people with his footballling ability I'll never know.

He's erratic, can't be trusted with the ball in defensive areas, nobody wants to give him the ball from the back, because they know they'll probably end up scrambling back to recover it. Saw that last night where he blindly plays it backwards to no one 30 yards from his own goal. Can't be trusted to not make a stupid tackle near the box. In forward areas it's a lottery as to what he'll do next.

This idea that running and tackling is enough is utter bollocks, his control and the quality passing of a football just isn't good enough. And if you don't have that, you're not good enough for a top team.

 

[Adam-Utd]

You're right.. He's an awful player, I've always been of that opinion. How he has endeared himself to people with his footballling ability I'll never know.

He's erratic, can't be trusted with the ball in defensive areas, nobody wants to give him the ball from the back, because they know they'll probably end up scrambling back to recover it. Saw that last night where he blindly plays it backwards to no one 30 yards from his own goal. Can't be trusted to not make a stupid tackle near the box. In forward areas it's a lottery as to what he'll do next.

This idea that running and tackling is enough is utter bollocks, his control and the quality passing of a football just isn't good enough. And if you don't have that, you're not good enough for a top team.

Yet he assisted Rashford with nice quick control and a well weighted pass.

 

[Oranges038]

Yet he assisted Rashford with nice quick control and a well weighted pass.

It was a good pass. Which is not the norm for this circus clown.

 

[flappyjay]

He's an incredible pressing midfielder.

He comes alive in the latter part of matches when everyones energy levels drop.

 

[OrcaFat]

He comes alive in the latter part of matches when everyones energy levels drop.

Yeah. But if he’s in the no6 area when we’re defending a lead (or even trying to stay in a game) our control goes to pieces. I like him to be subbed on with 25 to go if we are winning and need to hassle and break up play (more in in our no10 area) when teams are beginning to put pressure on us.

 

[Sylar]

am i wrong in thinking Barca should have had a pen on him for a hand ball at the end?

I couldnt have had any complaints tbh.

Well thats not true, I would have complained why are they getting that penalty but the foul on Rashford at 2-1 (and possible red didnt happen)

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It was a good pass. Which is not the norm for this circus clown.

Complete nonsense. He regularly makes very good passes. He also occasionally makes very bad passes (a lot less frequently) which is why he gets so much stick and incorrect notions about him not normally making good passes.

 

[Jeffthered]

I don’t know what people are on about. He is really not upto the standards of a Man United midfielder (even as a back-up).

A ‘decent’ 2nd half performance doesn’t make up for the fact that he was woeful in the 1st half. Gave the ball away so many times in the 1st half. An absolute liability and source of frustration for his teammates. You can see while playing out the back, nobody wants to play a ball to his feet if an opposition player is even remotely close to him. He limits the way we play so much.

Energy and intensity are absolute base stakes when you’re playing for a club like Man United. If your best performances as a midfielder consistently come when we don’t have the ball, then the writing is on the wall.

We need to aim higher in terms of our expectations from what a midfielder can deliver and ETH knows it. I expect Fred to be out the door soon along with Mct. If we can get replacements in.

This.

I have seen this post-Fred-has-a-good-match euphoria on a number of occasions in the five years that he has been here. He wasn't brilliant last night (Casimero was something close to that..) although he was v good in the second half... first half?? Just chaos... and this is Fred. He lacks focus.

Every single player in our sqaud will have v v good games at times, and so they should. But 'at times' is not going to get you anywhere, whereas consistency is. Fred is inconsistent. One terrible game against Leeds, followed by one good game against Leeds.. one atrocious half of football yesterday, followed by onev good half of football.. but then the handball!!! (and it was handball!!)

Cannot trust this guy...

 

[tenpoless]

I don't think he's an enigma. He is simply chaotic.
Play him against an opposition that likes pattern and control and he will do good to excellent. He disrupts plays and seems to have an infinite amount of energy.
Play him against an opposition that don't want control (and even try to play ugly football) however and you put yourself in a 50:50 situation because he's not a technically excellent midfielder. Sometimes maybe good sometimes maybe shit.
Not really an enigma when you can figure him out. I'd keep him even if it means he will be a bench warmer most of the time and use him against teams like Barca where we'll be seeing less possession.
Thankfully Ten Hag seems to have noticed this and the game vs Barca was a proof of that.

 

[Smores]

Still maintain he's an excellent squad option. Sometimes you just need a player who will cause chaos.

He's not the steady option you want replacing your injured key man but as a tactical option he's great. Keep Sabitzer or get someone better in and then Fred can be used as he should be.

 

[Remember the geese]

He's a great player to have around. I think Klopp would have absolutely loved him. Those who say that he needs Casemiro next to him - all of our midfield options need Casemiro next to them and every team needs that type of player. Fred offers something different to Eriksen. It's nice to have two different style centre mids and to have that flexibility in the squad.

 

[Tapori]

I can't hate Fred. Absolute madman.

 

[MadMike]

Still maintain he's an excellent squad option. Sometimes you just need a player who will cause chaos.

He's not the steady option you want replacing your injured key man but as a tactical option he's great. Keep Sabitzer or get someone better in and then Fred can be used as he should be.

I could not agree more. Chaotic energy can be used and harnessed. We just need one more good ball player, so Fred gets used only where the situation call for it.

If he doesn't mind being the 4th CM then he should be kept. We can upgrade on McT who allegedly wants to go and play regularly.

 

[Raven]

It was a good pass. Which is not the norm for this circus clown.

Dominates Barcelona's midfield yet we still have galaxy brain takes like this one from some of our "fans".

 

[Member 109952]

Lidl Kante.