Manchester United summer transfer plans can help Fred thrive under Erik ten Hag
16.05.2022 - 16:13
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Fred has been one of the rare positives for Manchester United this season – something that Sunday’s opponents know all too well. Much maligned under the previous two managers’ reigns, the Brazilian has had somewhat of a revival under Ralf Rangnick.
Rangnick has given Fred, who signed for £52m in 2018 from Shakhtar Donetsk, greater licence to attack from centre midfield. This shift has allowed him to grab his best return for United, with four goals and six assists.
Compare that to last season, which saw just one goal and two assists despite playing 12 more games than in the current campaign. Fred’s change was evident in the German’s first game in charge.
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He scored the winner in a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace, the opponents they face on the final day of the season this Sunday. Hovering unmarked at the edge of the box, United’s number 17 pulled out a top-corner curler to give United a deserved victory.
Fred clearly hasn’t forgotten that game. After reaching the milestone of 100 Premier League performances last month, he picked out that victory as a standout of his English career so far.
He told United Review: “I think a special game was this season against Crystal Palace, when we won 1-0. ‘It was a great atmosphere, we won and I scored the winner.”
It is a somewhat damning indictment of Fred and United’s performance over the last four years that a home win against a mid-table side is considered a highlight. Nevertheless, it demonstrates how much the Brazilian has enjoyed his more advanced role.
Despite being a regular starter last season as United came second and reached the Europa League final, it this season that Fred believes is his best ever at the