Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has held back from playing summer signing Fred more often due to worries over the team’s defence.
The Brazilian international was signed from Shakhtar Donetsk for £47m in June but has started just six Premier League games this season.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference yesterday, Mourinho said:
“When the team is defensively stronger and does not need in midfield people that are more about giving some balance to the team than being involved in creating and attacking dynamics – the day we are stronger defensively, I think the horizons for Fred change completely,”
Fans on social media were not convinced by the United boss’s explanation:
Yup we signed him to warm the bench until we spend more on defenders. Good going #Jose
— Waz Ahmed (@wazzer_united) 7 December 2018
Hmm, well that’s fair enough but our defensive woes aren’t going to improve anytime soon ?. Have to see what Jan brings.
— Chucky (@Shaun_Chucky) 7 December 2018
Why can’t we play fred n herrera in 3-5-2 . 3 cb would be ideal for those two as they would press and pass quickly . Matic has been too slow for that cdm role .
— abhinav (@abhinavshaurya) 7 December 2018
Does the boss realize that against certain clubs we don’t have to play with 3 Defensive midfielders + Nesta and Maldini to win ?!
— Fred (@FredyTheRed) 7 December 2018
Inexcusable. We paid good money for him so play him
— Kyle (@ffsrom) 7 December 2018
The defense has already been a huge problem this season. Why not try and compensate that with a free flowing attacking and creative midfielder like Fred? Will definitely make a huge difference!
— Chaitanya Kulkarni (@iam_cgk) 7 December 2018
Which doesn’t make sense cause why then did we buy him???
— Tobi (@tobiogunbadejo) 7 December 2018
He wanted a CB to play Matic Fred Pogba. Pogba&Fred advanced while matic stays. Totally agree with him in being concerned about our defence
— DreamUnited (@Dream11United) 7 December 2018
Excuses excuses Matic should be benched for the foreseeable future.
— lebogang_monyai (@lebogang_monyai) 7 December 2018
Dear Mourinho, Attack is always the best form of defence.
— Jord (@JordDoesStuff) 7 December 2018
It is certainly true that in recent weeks the team has struggled defensively because of a lack of fit centre-backs. However, the problems in the backline began at the start of the campaign.
While Fred was picked in the starting eleven for the defeats against Brighton and Tottenham earlier in the season, United have also conceded just as many without him in the side.
It’s apparent that many United supporters would like to see Fred given more opportunities to play, and he could well benefit from the recent switch to three at the back. Whether he’ll get another opportunity to shine soon, we’ll just have to wait and see.