What has gone wrong with Fred: Manchester United’s Brazilian signing?

Billed as one of the signings of the summer, Manchester United’s Brazilian signing Fred has been struggling for game time under Old Trafford lights. He was one of the summer’s hottest prospects. Having a successful Champion League campaign under Shakhtar Donetsk, Fred realized that this season was his chance to step up into elite footballing ranks.

Fred had his pick of both Manchester clubs when the moment came to step up to football’s elite and just like Alexis Sanchez; it was United who prevailed in their transfer tussle with neighbors City. The Blue half of Manchester must be relieved that just like Alexis, Fred has also proven largely ineffective.

Where has Fred’s English career gone wrong? And is there still time to come back?

When Fred arrived in the red devils in the summer transfer window, Mourinho quoted the uniqueness of Fred, “”We think having a player like Fred in the squad, who is more technical, with more quality of passing in short spaces, he can maybe connect with the attacking players.” He also pointed out the fact how Fred is unique than other midfielders of United squad, that Pogba, Matic, Fellaini, and even Herrera were physical players something that the Brazilian would match up with his technical prowess.

Fred’s early glimpses were really impressive. The preseason campaign was good for Fred with Fred playing quick one-twos, impressing not only with his calm on the ball but with his willingness to look for the killer pass. But subsequent performances have been disappointing with only a goal coming against the Wolves.

Mourinho has used a midfield of Pogba, Matic, Herrera for most of the season with the 52 million signing hardly coming off the bench. Even in the Manchester derby, when the Frenchman was ruled out with an injury, Mourinho selected Fellaini over Fred. He remained an unused substitute as United were dismantled by their rivals, a result that makes a title challenge and even qualification for the Champions League look rather optimistic right now.

Fred, at least, still has faith in his manager to steer him right. “Mourinho is a top, top professional and every player likes to work with such a winner. I’m learning things from him, that’s for sure. He can be quite strict, but that’s part of his job,” Fred explained in an interview. Mourinho has suggested that Fred needs to work on his off the ball movement. The first few months of the Brazilian has been immensely frustrating, but he is here to stay and prove himself.