Why Fred is not playing
Federico Rodrigues de Paula also known as Fred is a Brazillian midfielder signed to Manchester United but he is yet to fully enjoy full play at the cub since joining them leaving many with questions on what is happening with the young talented fellow.
Manchester United are still optimistic £52million signing Fred will come good, despite his severe lack of playing time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 25-year-old has not appeared for United since the FA Cup third round win over Reading 47 days ago when he was substituted after 62 minutes – and Fred has started just once in the Premier League in the last three months.
Solskjaer has omitted Fred from three of his Premier League match day squads and selected his midfield rival Andreas Pereira when Ander Herrera was rested for the 2-2 draw with Burnley last month. Pereira and Scott McTominay emerged in the second-half of United’s FA Cup victory at Chelsea on Monday night whereas Fred was not even instructed to warm up.
Fred has managed one goal for United since he became the club’s fourth-most expensive acquisition but sources have told the media the club have given ‘very positive’ feedback on his training performances and feel Fred requires more time to ‘properly adapt’ before he is given more game time.
The former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva, who mentors Fred and helped finalie his transfer to United, visited his compatriot two months ago to offer advice and reassurance. Fred did not travel with the United squad to Dubai for their warm weather training camp in January since his partner was due to give birth to their first child and has not played since.
Jose Mourinho dropped Fred after three games and the Brazil international has only started 11 times for United this season. Although United considered Jorginho as Michael Carrick’s replacement, United ‘did lots of homework’ on Fred and his signing was not foisted upon Mourinho.
Solskjaer has likened Fred’s situation at United to his former South American teammates Diego Forlan and Juan Sebastian Veron.
“He [Fred]’s a good lad, same with Andreas,” Solskjaer said. “He’s working really hard, you’ve got Scott [McTominay]. And when they get the chance, because they will, we want to see improvement.
“We know there’s a very, very good player there with Fred so hopefully he’ll adjust to the English game because there’s no doubt there’s talent, absolutely no doubt.
“It’s always difficult to come here. One: It’s Man United, you’re expected to perform straight away. Two: It’s an English league that he’s not used to. But he’s a Brazilian international, Andreas is a Brazilian international, the talent is there and when they get the chance the next time… it’s easier to come into a team that’s doing well.
“I didn’t do Andreas or Scott or Fred any favours when I put them in against Reading when we’ve had nine changes. Next time they come in there might be one or two changes, and it’s easier, and then we’ll see what they’re capable of.
“There’s loads of players that have come in and found the first few months difficult. One of the best players I’ve played with that struggled the most was Diego Forlan. Veron [is another] you know, those two fantastic players and it took a bit of time. But when they settled they performed.
“So I don’t think he needs to worry too much. He’ll get chances.”
“Fred is exactly like everyone else,” Solskjaer added at Fulham, where Fred was excluded from the matchday squad. “You know he’s going to be able to contribute and he will contribute, don’t worry about that.”