Fred scored his third Manchester United goal of the season at the weekend with a clinical finish to send the side towards victory against Leeds
The Brazilian has more league goals than Lionel Messi this season and is no doubt feeling pretty confident in his own ability right now.
Now as he prepares for Manchester United’s first Champions League knockout fixtures since 2019, Fred has offered a timely remind of what he is capable of.
The United midfielder shared an video from his Shakhtar Donetsk days, in which he fired a free-kick straight into the top corner of the net.
The set piece was a difficult one to execute and Fred’s effort crashed in off the underside of the bar, leaving current Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson flailing, who was in goal for Roma at the time.
United fans will recognise this video as one seen as part of a compilation of Fred’s best bits before he signed, which had us believe we were signing a truly complete midfielder.
Fred hasn’t quite been that, he is a player with limitations who is good at what he does, and every now and then he chips in with a moment like this, surprising everybody.
Since joining United, Fred has not come close to scoring a free-kick. These days he rarely gets the chance to try.
With Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo in attack, Fred is unlikely to get many chances either, even though both of those have not managed to net a free-kick all season.
Fred’s free-kick above was curled in with his left foot, and if United get one on that side of the box, the Brazilian might have a chance. He will have to make sure Fernandes and Ronaldo see this effort, if he is going to convince his teammates to let him try.
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