Ralf Rangnick has insisted there is still competition for places at Manchester United despite January departures from the club.
20.01.2022 - 09:31 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Fred's best role
Ten days ago Fred had registered nine assists in 140 games for Manchester United, but he's been given licence to be more progressive in Ralf Rangnick's 4-3-3 and is already having an influence.
The Brazilian showed his crossing capabilities when delivering a pinpoint ball to Scott McTominay in the FA Cup win against Aston Villa last Monday and then his ability to press and be on the front foot helped create United's second goal at Villa Park on Saturday, pouncing on a weak pass to tee up Bruno Fernandes. But at Brentford his assist showed a more clinical edge as well.
There didn't look to be a lot on when Fred picked the ball up 35 yards from goal, but he spotted an angle to fire a pass into the run of Anthony Elanga, who controlled it superbly and had an easy task to head past the out of position Jonas Lossl.
Fred's second assist in as many games was a sign of what he can do as a No 8. His pressing is an asset in that position and while he remains far from faultless it does feel like that might be his best position in this side.
He still has the odd brain fade defensively, ducking out of the way of a looping cross in the first half rather than heading it clear and then trying an acrobatic clearance under no pressure in his own area, but in the other half of the pitch, United are beginning to get the best out of him.
Rangnick's selection calls
One of the biggest pluses of the Rangnick era so far has been a boldness in some of his selection calls and his decision to stick with Elanga for a second successive Premier League start was another sign of that.
The 19-year-old played well at Villa Park but it was easy to imagine a more cautious manager restoring the experience of Marcus Rashford in what was a
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