According to a report from Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have considered the possibility of offloading several players following the exit of David De Gea. It is understood that Brazilian midfielder, Fred, is a potential candidate who could exit Old Trafford, including others, should an appropriate offer come in this summer.
Fred’s Campaign With Manchester United Last Season
The Brazil international had a campaign of mixed emotions at Old Trafford as he struggled with his form throughout the campaign. He deserves some credit as he managed to find the back of the net on five occasions and created three assists over 50 appearances for the Red Devils across multiple competitions.
However, the Belo Horizonte-born talent failed to meet expectations after only averaging 1.3 tackles, 0.7 shots, 0.9 key passes and 0.3 dribbles per game in the Premier League. Nonetheless, he was efficient in ball distribution after completing 80.3% of his attempted passes in the English top flight (stats via whoscored).
Fred’s contract with Man United lasts until the summer of 2024. Hence, the Red Devils will have to provide him with a contract extension or sanction his exit this summer if they do not want to risk losing him for free next summer.
Should Erik Ten Hag Sanction His Exit Or Keep Him At Old Trafford For Another Season?
One of Fred’s standout attributes is his tenacious ball-winning abilities. He possesses impressive anticipation and agility and consistently disrupts opponents’ attacks with well-timed tackles and interceptions. While renowned for his defensive contributions, Fred is also a proficient distributor of the ball. Despite being a pivotal figure in the team’s midfield, the Brazilian international endured a dip in form last season, which prompted scrutiny and criticism.
Fred struggled to maintain the same level of consistency throughout the season as he had shown in the previous campaigns. Undoubtedly, he remains a talented midfielder possessing the necessary skill set to perform at a high level.
At 30, he is currently in his prime, where he could significantly add to United’s midfield department for a couple more years should he regain his confidence on the pitch. However, Erik Ten Hag wishes to revamp the entire squad, and with just a year remaining on his contract, it would only make sense to sell him this summer.
All things considered, ten Hag could surely find a decent replacement for him in the transfer market, and it would only be beneficial for Fred to exit in search of regular play time elsewhere.
