Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has backed Fred to play an important role in stopping Manchester City midfielder Rodri control the play in the derby clash on Saturday.
The Reds came into the fixture against Pep Guardiola's side having won each of their last eight matches in all competitions. Erik ten Hag's side currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, but are level on points with third-placed Newcastle United.
City, meanwhile, were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in midweek at the hands of Southampton, but still find themselves second in the top-flight table and four points clear of United in the league.
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Ten Hag opted to include Brazilian ace Fred in his starting line-up for the Manchester derby, despite the 29-year-old starting just eight times in all competitions so far this season. United great Scholes, who has been critical of Fred in the past, suggested that the midfielder could prove to be vital in stopping the away side dictate the play.
Speaking on BT Sport ahead of kick-off, Scholes said: "I think in that first game the United manager tried to go toe-to-toe a little bit with them, he didn’t bolster that midfield, and with Fred coming in today in a three, they need to try and stop Rodri.
"The amount of times I’ve seen Rodri control games for Manchester City - both at that ground and this ground over the last couple of years - he is the one who supplies De Bruyne, he is the one who supplies these brilliant footballers that they’ve got, but I think Fred might be the man to get right up against him and stop that.
"I think this is a good United team, it’s a team he had to play. They were a little bit too open at first with McTominay and Eriksen, Casemiro obviously comes in and brings so much quality to the centre of the pitch that United had sadly missed. I think it’s about stopping Manchester City first and foremost for United today.
"We all know how good they are on the ball, they will score goals, they will create chances as they’ve got quick and clever players but to me it’s not about the ball today, it’s about stopping Manchester City."
Fred has scored twice for United so far this season, with the Brazilian on the scoresheet in the Premier League victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest. He has made over 150 appearances in total since signing for the club in 2018.
City won the last derby clash 6-3 at the Etihad in October, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scoring hat-tricks for the home side, while Antony and Anthony Martial (2) were on the scoresheet for United.
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