Jose clearly mentioned during the end of last season that we are going to sign at least a Brazilian, and as far as I can remember, Fred has been the only Brazilian (in addition to Willian) we were linked to since then. In addition, he was signed very early in the transfer window. He was clearly a Jose signing.
Why did we buy Fred?
- Thread starter Josep Dowling
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He's obviously a decent player, maybe a very good one, in his first season in a new country and a new club, and having spent most of that time under a miserable Jose..
And then you look at our midfield. Herrera, who until 4 weeks ago was largely classed as not good enough, Matic who is apparently passed it, Pogba who plenty of folk wanted gone.... And who else? You can't have a team with only 3 midfielders and some backup kids if you actually want to win something.
Give the guy a chance for fecks sake. And a chance isn't a 20 minute run out.
And then you look at our midfield. Herrera, who until 4 weeks ago was largely classed as not good enough, Matic who is apparently passed it, Pogba who plenty of folk wanted gone.... And who else? You can't have a team with only 3 midfielders and some backup kids if you actually want to win something.
Give the guy a chance for fecks sake. And a chance isn't a 20 minute run out.
Our scouts and coaching staff have done a poor job assessing him as a player. He was at his best for Shaktar in their half of the pitch, pressing, intercepting and tackling the opposition players and then quickly giving the ball to the attackers. A modern, mobile defensive midfielder like Kante or Herrera in 16/17. This is why Guardiola wanted him at City to replace Fernandinho.
At United he has been asked to contribute a lot more in the opposition half, he literally started as a #10 in his last game. He's not suited to this role and will almost certainly flop at United should we expect him to contribute as an attacking player.
At United he has been asked to contribute a lot more in the opposition half, he literally started as a #10 in his last game. He's not suited to this role and will almost certainly flop at United should we expect him to contribute as an attacking player.
Like others have said you can see there's quality there but there's also a lot of elementary mistakes there too.
So many simple passes going wayward. Switching off in defence too.
I'd like to see Fred Herrera Pogba at some point this year. We need him to improve ready for next season.
So many simple passes going wayward. Switching off in defence too.
I'd like to see Fred Herrera Pogba at some point this year. We need him to improve ready for next season.
I honestly think that we bought him just to stop City getting him. Smelt like more of a panic buy and potential pressure on Mourinho to buy someone.
Other than that I think he's good. Good enough to get more first team minutes than he's been getting. Under Ole he'll get alot more minutes and become important to our team hopefully.
Other than that I think he's good. Good enough to get more first team minutes than he's been getting. Under Ole he'll get alot more minutes and become important to our team hopefully.
Great minds etc etc ....
For me he still wants too much time on the ball and his first touch still isn't good enough to allow him the time he wants to get his head up and pick a pass, he's always in a rush.
If I was him I'd be working on that and the rest will follow.
If I was him I'd be working on that and the rest will follow.
Are you saying that there's no place for a modern, mobile defensive midfielder like Kante in this team?
Fred has looked off the pace for the PL as of now. He gets caught out of position ever so often. He needs to be disciplined but with Pogba playing higher up the pitch and Herrera sort of the destroyer and Matic sitting back.... Fred could be a backup for Herrera in not so important games.
I would give Fred until end of this season to get his act together...
Would like to get Ndombele as a replacement before City snap him up.
I would give Fred until end of this season to get his act together...
Would like to get Ndombele as a replacement before City snap him up.
That's not what he is saying? He's saying Fred at Shakhtar was at his best operating in the Kante-role.
Boils down to us buying a player for one purpose then expecting him to do another. This has been a common drait under the last two manager which Ole looks to have rectified pretty quickly. Which is probably why Fred can't get games as our midfield 3 have been very good since he was appointed.
Dreamt he scored an important goal last night, long range short right into the top corner.
Ok. Although I don't agree of that opinion, it seems like that's what he meant.
Rumours have it that Woodward thought he was at a "show signing" and signed Fred the Red.
Fred will blossom - just give him some time.
Fred will blossom - just give him some time.
Please let this happen
I have regular conversations with a mate who supports City and he winds me up about City signing Ndombelle.
This makes sense and puts Fred in a list along with Sanchez and RVP.
It's amazing that he's supposed to be this defensive minded Kante like player and the previous manager said that we need to be more defensively solid in order to play him. I don't know what to think anymore.
Flop of the season. It says it all really
People are still trying to say that Mourinho didn't want him?
Mourinho told us a year ago how the transfer process worked here. He gave the club a list of names, likely in which order to prioritise, and they'd go out and work on the deals. Mourinho talked about wanting a Brazilian player. He also made a number of comments about wanting to press harder and that Fred would help with that.
As such, it's obvious that Fred was on that list of names. He may or may not have been Mourinho's first choice, but of course he was on the list.
Mourinho told us a year ago how the transfer process worked here. He gave the club a list of names, likely in which order to prioritise, and they'd go out and work on the deals. Mourinho talked about wanting a Brazilian player. He also made a number of comments about wanting to press harder and that Fred would help with that.
As such, it's obvious that Fred was on that list of names. He may or may not have been Mourinho's first choice, but of course he was on the list.
I rate Andres slightly ahead of Fred at the moment. However, unfortunately neither are first teamers.
Herrera is 100% a first teamer. Eventually it's matic that will need replacing in the midfield.
It's ridiculous how He's so good in PES. He can't even hold the ball in real life.
Edit: Woodward plays it.
Edit: Woodward plays it.
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Absolutely, Herrera should be one of the first names on the teamsheet every week.
I also think Fred will come good. He's got the guts and energy for our league, just needs to get used to the speed and intensity. He wouldn't be the first midfielder to struggle and he won't be the last.
Except RVP was brilliant. The other two are in danger of being very expensive flops.
Definitely shades of Anderson about him from the glimpses we've seen this season.
If it was up to me I'd go and get Declan Rice now from Westham, he's been unbelievable all season perfect dm. Reads the game so well for somebody so young. Plenty of time to develop into a class midfielder
Thats an insult to Anderson and Im being serious. He was twice the player of what Fred has shown so far
Goes without saying. If anything it only reflects the lack of vision and planning that we operate with.
Yes seems a good player.
Ole might has a use for him, Fred can't go on playing like that when he gets new opportunities to show what he got, he has to improve.
Reminds me of how Lindelöf looked when he first started playing. Too early to call him a flop, he's got some tenacity, passing range and a good motor. I'll give it another year before passing judgement. He's certainly not a 50M player though.
Yup. The early version of Anderson showed some great promise with good burst of pace. I thought Fred would bring this. He has not.
He should get at least 30 minutes in both upcoming home games.
Seems like he's not frozen out at least!
I remind myself that Lindelof looked like a flop this time last year, now he is our most reliable defender. Fred has every chance of coming good once he settles into the PL. Way too early to write him off.
Fred will a Pogba backup when he can't play
It ll be completely ridiculous to write off a player coming from a foreign club in his first season. Some people see him as a Jose signing (probably) and get all angry.
Toby and Perisic pursuits were abandoned due to them being over priced and having no resale value. I think most United fans would agree with Woodward there. He backed Mourinho in the chase for a 25 year old Brazilian International who has resale value and probably cost alot less in wages. Pretty easy to see why he turned away from signing two players who are approaching 30 due to the spiralling costs.
Then he will fail. He's not an attacking midfielder. His role is to provide a platform from deep to open up defences .
I don't think Ole will ever freeze anyone out. He's not the sort. He meant it when he said he'd give everyone a chance, and tbh, for the first time I'm genuinely interested in seeing what all the players are capable of, including Fred. Because I don't think any of them can be judged on their Mourinho performances given the difference we're seeing in the team now.