If Erik ten Hag had been able to turn to his bench and call upon a senior central midfielder on Wednesday night, it is highly unlikely that Fred would have played the full 90 minutes against Leeds United.
The Brazilian has performed well for Manchester United off the bench in recent weeks, but he struggled against the Whites in midweek. The 29-year-old made his second successive start after being named in the starting line-up against Crystal Palace, with the midfielder having registered four goals and two assists in his 30 appearances this season.
Fred was on target in the cup victories over Nottingham Forest and Reading, yet, with no Casemiro behind him, and with the Brazilian having to play a different role, the former Shakhtar Donetsk man failed to take his chance against the Whites. He played at the base of the midfield, but he misplaced several paces and his runs actually proved to be counter-productive
