By Sam Preston

Fred shines in Brazil's 0-0 draw with Argentina

Manchester United midfielder Fred started once again for Brazil as they travelled to face Argentina on Tuesday night.

Brazil’s qualification for World Cup 2022 was already confirmed, but their rivalry with Argentina is one of the oldest and most intense in international football.

It is fair to say it was not a classic encounter between the two sides, as they played out a 0-0 draw.

After the game, Fred took to Instagram to send a message to the Brazil fans.

Translated, it read: “Ending the Brazilian team’s 2021 with a solid performance.

“Objective achieved, but we still have a lot of work to do. We will continue at the same intensity next year. Let’s go!”

As per SofaScore, Fred was the highest rated player on the pitch, despite Lionel Messi starting, with a rating of 7.8 out of 10.

He played the full game and won 16 duels, as well as eight tackles in a typically industrious performance.

Fred also completed four of his five dribbles and came as close as anyone to scoring on the night, with a right-footed strike from outside the box which hit the crossbar on 59 minutes.

That attempt can be seen below:

The key for United’s players during the international break is getting some form and confidence.

Fred has qualified for the biggest tournament on earth, which should mean he comes back to Old Trafford with a spring in his step.

The question of whether he should continue to start will keep on being asked, especially with Donny van de Beek in the background.

But he has enjoyed a decent international period, and finding the top corner with his long-range strike would have topped it all off.

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Sam Preston

Sam Preston is an NCTJ gold standard news and sports journalist who studied with the Press Association. He also has a 2:1 law with French law degree from the University of Birmingham, which included a year studying at Bordeaux Montaigne University. He is an FA Level 1 football coach who appeared on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show in 2018 and has also written digital football content and match-day programme pieces for Colchester United, Mansfield Town and Stockport County.