When Fred lined-up alongside Scott McTominay in Manchester United's first game of the season last month, many supporters felt a a familiar sense of disappointment. Despite Christian Eriksen accompanying the pair in midfield, Erik ten Hag's trio were dominated by Brighton and slumped to an opening day defeat.
The entire summer was spent chasing Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, who was expected to come in and solve a number of issues that United had failed to sort for several years. The Dutchman, evidently, did not arrive at Old Trafford. He never even looked close to moving.
So, against Brentford, Ten Hag made a change. The United boss opted to drop McTominay and play Fred alongside Eriksen, with the London club, much like Brighton did, going on to dominate the centre of the park. After the full-time whistle, questions were asked as why United hadn't solved their midfield issue.
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United, to their credit, went out and got a solution. The signing of Casemiro from Real Madrid was a statement one, but also an addition that was desperately need. A proper holding midfielder. A winner.
Although the Brazilian international — who won five Champions League titles with Los Blancos — is yet to start for the Reds in the Premier League, he showed glimpses of his quality against La Liga outfit Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday night.
It remains to be seen how Ten Hag will utilise the 30-year-old, but he is expected to become a starter once he settles in at Old Trafford. The form of Eriksen means that the Dane, after impressing in recent weeks, will also keep his place, so there is a chance that both McTominay and Fred could find themselves on the bench in the coming weeks.
Scotland international McTominay has improved since the opening day defeat to Brighton, and is deserving of his place in the side at the minute. Yet, Fred, who has not started in the league since the 4-0 thrashing at Brentford, might have to settle for a different role at Old Trafford for the remainder of the season.
He came on with 19 minutes remaining in the 3-1 victory over Liverpool, in a game that saw Eriksen and McTominay perform exceptionally well. That triumph over Jurgen Klopp's side came as a surprise after the first two matches of the season, but the dominating showing proved the quality was there.
Although he slotted in well after coming on against Liverpool, the Brazilian midfielder didn't do enough to warrant a start against Southampton or Leicester City. United were victorious in both of those game, and Fred played a combined total of four minutes across the two matches.
However, it was against Arsenal that the 29-year-old came on and truly showed his worth. With the game starting to get away from United in the middle of the pitch, Ten Hag made the decision to send Fred on. His energy, and willingness to quickly get around the pitch, was vital in the Reds seeing the game out.
The Gunners threatened to overwhelm United at times in that game — even after Marcus Rashford had made it 2-1 to the home side — but Ten Hag's substitutions, and to some extent, Mikel Arteta's ill-fated ones, meant the game was seen out comfortably.
While it would be unfair to now completely view Fred as simply a squad player, his ability to give the Reds much-needed energy in midfield in the latter stages of games could be a unexpected tool that Ten Hag has at his disposal moving forward.
Since his arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018, the midfielder, has often found himself on the end of criticism. He has been used as a scapegoat in the past, and many people have questioned his capabilities. More critics came his way after the 1-0 defeat on Thursday night, when he was deployed as an ineffectual No.10.
Last season, the Brazilian made 30 starts in all competitions for United — including 24 in the Premier League. With the additions of Casemiro and Eriksen this summer, he is unlikely to make that again this year. But a new role, coming off the bench to see out victories, might just suit United.
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