This is a key observation. One could argue that pressing isn't so much about running (after all, the likes of Xavi and Iniesta were excellent at it) as it is about positioning and reading the game. But that's not the point. It's not just about him being chaotic in possession. It's not like he's playing alongside players whose prime concern is to treat the ball well. On the contrary, his supposed biggest strength is being the "cleaner" behind them. The biggest indicator for the need to change is that we want to use high pressing as a mechanism to create chances in transition. Not just to circulate the ball. In this sense, being able to press means absolutely nothing if your subsequent first touch and the pass you pick, right after you regain possession, isn't the correct one. It nullifies all the previous work you did. That's where Fred will fail you most of the time, and that's also where Mount comes in (at least, that's the idea).
Selling Fred was a mistake
- Thread starter Idxomer
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This is a key observation. One could argue that pressing isn't so much about running (after all, the likes of Xavi and Iniesta were excellent at it) as it is about positioning and reading the game. But that's not the point. It's not just about him being chaotic in possession. It's not like he's playing alongside players whose prime concern is to treat the ball well. On the contrary, his supposed biggest strength is being the "cleaner" behind them. The biggest indicator for the need to change is that we want to use high pressing as a mechanism to create chances in transition. Not just to circulate the ball. In this sense, being able to press means absolutely nothing if your subsequent first touch and the pass you pick, right after you regain possession, isn't the correct one. It nullifies all the previous work you did. That's where Fred will fail you most of the time, and that's also where Mount comes in (at least, that's the idea).
Absolutely right and those things are correct IF he was a starter. You can offer a forensic view of all the bench players and their failings. For me, for what he offers and lets not get amnesia that we havent seen it in some big games, can you replace him for 10m with someone who is happy to sit on the bench for a season?
Mount isnt replacing Fred unless someone is telling me we just spent 60m for a bench player?
Fred was never good enough.
Seems to be the way on here alright. It’s bad enough the media jumping on our players back after 1 or 2 bad games but to see our own fans doing it is depressing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Liverpool fan’s writing off a signing after a couple of poor performances. How hard is it to give our players the time and opportunity they deserve.
Oh I agree, that wasn't a strength of his and the hallmark of "bad Fred". But those headless chicken pursuits reflected some desire to right his wrong. We've not even had that the last few matches. Bad Fred shouldn't be the goal but that feels like a step above what we've been treated with lately.
Hopefully Amrabat can do to our midfield this season what Martinez did for our back line last year, inject some new energy and tenacity. Casemiro had that going until the suspensions, the midfield really has not looked the same since.
I'll come back to this post once the season is done.
Well I certainly don’t expect to hear from you any sooner if/when Mount starts to make a positive impact. That’s really not your style.
Selling Fred was not a mistake, hes done at this level heck he barely play full 90 mins last season, hes irrelevant but keeping McT when someone offered us 30m was not only a mistake but an idiotic sabotage act.
Playing with Fred is like having a Golden Retriever in your team: great at running around, chasing the opponents, disrupting their plans, but useless if/when he actually wins the ball. Fred had the personality of a Golden Retriever too, buoyant, lovable, happy, so people should probably go buy a dog if they miss him.
Possibly but the intention was to mean someone of a highter tier, Amrabat may become a great signing but I don’t see him being an indispensable player which is what we should have been looking for.
Maybe McT only was serviceable with Fred here? 
. Goodness he looks awful now. I'd kill for Fred as a squad player with this lot.
. Goodness he looks awful now. I'd kill for Fred as a squad player with this lot.Fred was bloody awful 90% of the time. Shocking passer, constantly caught in possessions, short memory. Best thing we did getting rid.
Starting this thread was the mistake.
Selling Fred was the correct thing.
Problem is that our recruitment is so bad any new player will likely also be bad. Ots why I don't really care about replacing some of our players. Yeah sure, Martial is a lazy sh!t but if he's replaced, it'll be with another lazy sh!t.
Problem is that our recruitment is so bad any new player will likely also be bad. Ots why I don't really care about replacing some of our players. Yeah sure, Martial is a lazy sh!t but if he's replaced, it'll be with another lazy sh!t.
You can say the same about McT, I don’t know if you are aware, Casimeiro has 5 European cups and was a regular starter. Bruno can’t be compared to Fred
While he might be not the level of United, he definitely is twice the level McTominay is. He also suits the way we play with his energy and pressing. Also his quick transitioning is very good. Should have kept him as a squad player and sold McTominay for higher price.
His attitude was always great and we need that in the dressing room.
Maybe Fred was ambitious and wanted game time. Something the likes of Maguire and McTominay should be thinking about.
His attitude was always great and we need that in the dressing room.
Maybe Fred was ambitious and wanted game time. Something the likes of Maguire and McTominay should be thinking about.
It has been alluded many times that this was the case.
Selling Fred was not a mistake. He was a 30 years old player whose game was based on work rate. It was only a matter of time before that would decline. Our mistake was buying Casemiro (same reason) and Mount. The latter is the typical United's strategy of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole
Hannibal. Enough said.
/thread.
/thread.
Not true if ETH still picks the transfer targets like he has. All our signings under ETH seems to have great work ethic or discipline. Question lies with quality, and suitability for the league, roles in the team.
The kid has workrate!
Selling Fred was not a mistake. Not getting rid of VDB, Maguire, is
This is gas. Imagine someone calling Kante or fabinhio but with goals and assists a golden retriever. You guys are blind. He wasn’t a dm. Nobdoy can play beside McT the invisible man and look classy. Yes he’s not a press resistant one man dm playmaker and a box too box but by god he tried and also he’s been our best player in lots of our best wins too. I guess it’s hard to admit when you’ve got this point of view that he’s just a shit player. He’s class but erratic trying to do everything. The only guy in a Utd shirt who gave a shite surrounded by mercenaries for most of his time here
Better signing than Pogba.
This thread is a mistake.
I agree, but I also think we need to see more of our new midfielders first. I didn't want Mount, but he has barely played. We need more time to come to the conclusion that this transfer was definitely a mistake. Amrabat has only played for 5 minutes. Hannibal and Manioo are in the squad as well. If these players end up performing, selling him will have been fine.
Would have much preferred to keep him over McTominay and Van de Beek, though. Neither of them have given anything close to what Fred has over the last 3 seasons.
Would have much preferred to keep him over McTominay and Van de Beek, though. Neither of them have given anything close to what Fred has over the last 3 seasons.
Anyone saying Fred is like Kane and Fabinho is delusional. I don't remember these "lots of our best wins" when he was the best player. Maybe he was MOTM once in 5 years? Fred scored 8 goals in 139 appearances over 5 years, wow, fecking impressive. Fred is not class and I am feckING ECSTATIC he is gone.
Literally googled Fred+motm and at least saw 3 motm on the first page (official ones)
He needed selling eventually but I rate him higher than Mctominay. I think he’s a better player and at least offers something. Mctominay and even VDB don’t. The mistake was keeping them… but Fred probably showed more ambition and wanted to play football so was happy to leave. The others are happy sitting on the bench for a big pay check.
congratulations? and 3 equals "lots of our best wins"? Okay mate. Have a nice day.
This, some of our players care for personal wealth or status way more than playing. Mc T is nailed in his NT no matter what.
If we knew that Mount was gonna be injured the it was a mistake. Because he became a surplus after Mount joined. Although I prefer him compared to Scott McTominay.
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Rather the mistake was not replacing him at all. Thanks to waiting on Van De beek to find a way out of the club alone and hoping to "use those funds" to replace Fred. Mount was brought in to replace Eriksen long term.
Now we can only hope Mainoo will fill in that void. Whilst hoping Mejbri will eventually overtake Mctominay too, all this season
Funny how player are remembered as great once they are gone. I am sure someone will claim McT was amazing for us if we ever manage to sell him
Amrabat will be much better than fred. Fred needed to go.
Well with that attitude I take it you'll never listen but: He was (low and behold) one of the best in our away win against PSG. Didn't get the Motm however.
Then he was Motm against Barcelona (2-1)
Then he was motm against City (2-1)
The notion that he couldnt do it against good opposition is bullshit. He wasnt Kante in his prime, sure, but he was still a good player.
I think it was his second season, he had a streak of so many great games where he ran the midfield and was everywhere. Unfortunately that wasn't every day at United. We needed to get rid to build something new, but Fred has been scapegoated enough. We really dont know if Amrabat will be better, but we'll have to try.
I don't think it was a mistake and I think it will lead to more playing time for the development of Mainoo and Hannibal which can only be a good thing. Maybe some short term pain given the injuries we have had and the amount of time it took to get the Amrabat deal done.
Agree with what a lot of people are saying, I'd have moved on McT and VdB first before Fred. I guess we needed to balance the books and Fred was willing to leave.
Agree with what a lot of people are saying, I'd have moved on McT and VdB first before Fred. I guess we needed to balance the books and Fred was willing to leave.
Let's not start this every time we have a few bad games. Fred was terrible. Likeable guy, very poor player.
I watched Fred stink out the joint for 5 years. The odd good performance doesn’t change that. Fref was never good enough for a side chasing trophies. The fact he was a fixture in our midfield is just another indication of how far we had fallen.
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