Manchester United midfielder Fred has been praised by teammates Tyrell Malacia and Bruno Fernandes for his display against Manchester City.
Having been outplayed by Pep Guardiola’s Citizens during the Red Devils’ chastening 6-3 defeat at the Etihad at the start of October, Erik ten Hag wasn’t going to let lightening strike twice.
At the Etihad, the three-time Eredivisie winner went with a two-man midfield of Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay with Bruno Fernandes playing in an advanced role.
But in yesterday’s pulsating 2-1 win against the reigning champions at Old Trafford, Ten Hag recalled Fred and handed the Brazilian his first Premier League start since October.
Tyrell Malacia and Bruno Fernandes react to Fred’s Manchester derby display
United’s number 17 slotted into the engine room alongside his influential compatriot Casemiro and the technician Eriksen.
Fernandes, who wore the captain’s armband with Harry Maguire on the bench, started on the right-hand side.
With Guardiola’s team looking to dominate possession, Ten Hag felt that the industrious and energetic Fred could help thwart United’s fierce rivals.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder put in a tireless shift and thwarted City’s chief creator Kevin de Bruyne on several occasions.
Fred’s influential performance warranted his selection by Ten Hag and the 32-time Brazil international more than repaid the faith shown in him by the former Ajax boss.
Fred is by no means a regular starter under the 52-year-old, but his performance against City highlights the value he brings to the squad.
Ten Hag may drop Fred for an attacker for Wednesday’s clash at Crystal Palace, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Fred recalled for next Sunday’s crunch trip to the Emirates Stadium to face league leaders Arsenal.
The South American’s selfless performance in the derby didn’t go unnoticed by Malacia or Fernandes.
Reacting to Fred’s Instagram post, Malacia replied with “Wow” while Fernandes paid tribute to Fred’s pair of lungs by jokingly saying “are you still running”.
Fred has often produced his best performances in the derby since making the switch to M16 in 2018 and yesterday was no different.
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