25 Nov 2020 09:14:29
Best piece of commentary during the game last night for when Rashford won the penalty.

"Who needs a number 6 who can pass long distances when you've got Lindelof"

A sly dig at Pogba perhaps? If so I'm all for it. We have finally solved the selection dilemma with VDB.

1.) 25 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 11:11:41
I think its a bit too hasty to declare the midfield selection solved after last night.

I mean if mctominay is fit for sunday, i expect ole to bring him to come back and replace vdb to provide more defensive solidity or matic will come in to [artner fred if mctominay is not fit.

VDB is a quality player, intelligent, can play 1/ 2 touch, great technique. Fred has the work rate and covers an immense amount of ground but neither of them really have the passing range that the commentator you referred to was having a dig at.

Pogba has that range of passing but his tendency to slow things up and his lack of defensive work rate just really can't be excused anymore so it makes sense to move him on.

2.) 25 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 12:23:39
Kurtis, I think it was more a dig at Fred’s passing. Savage was very critical of Fred going sideways and backwards, and rightly so.

3.) 25 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 13:06:39
That would make more sense Wazza!

4.) 25 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 14:14:59
Fred was dreadful last night. Every pass went sideways or backwards. The very few passes that he attempted to go forward went to the other team. I couldn't believe how bad some of his passes were, so simple yet Fred makes it look so difficult. He always over cooks it on the ball as well taking that extra touch that he doesn't need which is why he gets caught with the ball a lot. Having said that the passing from the whole team in general was bad in the second half.

5.) 25 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 15:06:41
I'd love to have a peak Michael Carrick in our team right now. Someone who could control the game's tempo with his passing, someone who could shield the back four and contribute to attacks with his passing. It would free up and create so many chances for DvdB and Bruno.

Fingers crossed that James Garner lives up to his promise. He could become a top player.

6.) 25 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 15:21:46
I like Fred. I think he has a great attitude and his energy is a massive plus for the team. Unfortunately I think he needs to be moved on because Utd won't be a top team with him as a regular starter.

He's like many many players that seem to end up at Utd; they're not really good but because they are not terrible and they do offer something, they just hang around much longer than they should. The club should be more ruthless and let them go much quicker once its clear they aren't top top level players.

7.) 25 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 16:52:53
Fred wins a lot more ball than any other United player. He didn't start against Palace, Brighton Spurs or in Istanbul. I think the team is better with him. I'm not saying he's world class but he would be in my starting 11.

8.) 25 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 17:47:54
I agree with remi. Fred isn't there to hit the Hollywood pass, his job is to break up play. One of main reasons I like Fred is his work rate and tenacity, much better option than Matic imo, we seem to play a lot better with Fred in the team. For me the midfield moving forward should be Fred, vbd and bruno.

9.) 25 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 19:21:39
I like Fred, but for me he is the type of player you need for certain games or in certain situations, but sadly he might be a little too limited to be a cornerstone of your starting 11 if you have ambition to win titles.

He reminds me a little of Park Ji-Sung. A pressing machine, an engine that could go on for days. Both on the small side but made up for it with intensity. Park played further forward than Fred but both are primarily there for the same reason, disrupt the opposition and stop them getting any rhythm to their play. However, neither really offer enough on the ball to warrant starting every week. No matter how much you might want them to kick on, that is their peak.

I don't think we need to sell Fred or move him on. We just need to find a way to play our better midfielders without the issue of exposing a weak defence.

10.) 25 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 19:57:38
That's what I'm saying about these almost good players; they are just a bit too limited for winning anything which is why UTD have been also rans for a while. Why can't we have top level midfielders who combine both Fred's competitiveness but who are technically good as well?

Who fits that bill? Who could we swap Fred for, keep the good stuff Fred brings but up the quality on the ball?

Massive changes needed in Utd's midfield over the next season or so. Pogba, Matic and Fred all need replacing with much better players.

11.) 25 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 20:33:15
Fred is a very useful asset for our squad.
His work rate and energy is immense and lays the platform for forward players.
If his passing and first touch improves, he will be top class.

12.) 26 Nov 2020
25 Nov 2020 23:56:40
I recognise and like his qualities True Red but I'm wondering if Utd can be a top team given his limitations.

Can he really improve his touch and passing so much to the level of a really top player?

13.) 26 Nov 2020
26 Nov 2020 11:48:52
TrueRedDevil, while I continue to hope that Fred's passing selection and technique improve, I appreciate that he is 27 years old, turning 28 in March.

I can't remember many players who dramatically improved basic skills like first touch and pass selection in their late 20's.

I think Fred as he is now is probably at or approaching his peak, with very little room left for growth/ improvement.

He is very good at what he does and in specific situations, sadly I don't think he has the all round ability to be a first choice player for a side challenging for titles.

I think we have a few players like that in our squad. Harry Maguire is another prime example, arguably our best CB, but lacking in a couple of key areas and at an age where is isn't likely to dramatically improve those areas.

A good solid player, with a couple of great key attributes, but just not a well rounded enough skillset for a top club.

14.) 26 Nov 2020
26 Nov 2020 12:44:06
Fair points Mancman and Shappy.

15.) 26 Nov 2020
26 Nov 2020 14:47:59
Exactly Shappy and that's a massive problem for Utd. To be fair, players like Jones, Lingard, Perreira and Rojo have either been moved on or are nowhere near the first team but there are still too many average Joes like Fred, Martial and Pogcrap hanging around who like you say have a few good attributes but aren't enough of the full package for Utd to be a top team.