Manchester United midfielder Fred played a very useful role when he came off the bench at Wembley.
The Brazilian helped Manchester United to re-establish control of the midfield at a time where the Seagulls had been on top.
Fred has not been starting lately – he has not had a start since before the international break – but he is a very useful squad player.
His performance in Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Brighton might just have got him back in Erik ten Hag’s good books.
Fred performance praised
Brighton’s attempts to play out from the back were disrupted by Fred’s pressing from the front, winning the ball back for United.
Former United trainee Danny Webber told MUTV he was impressed with the way Fred turned the game in United’s favour.
He also observed from Wembley that he felt Fred targeted one Brighton player in particular to try and disrupt.
Webber said of Fred’s introduction: “It was massive because they are known for playing out from the back. What they do very well is get the centre halves on the ball and pop it into deep lying midfielders and to one side or another. Fred’s obviously sat on the sidelines and analysed it.
“Any time it went to Caicedo, more than anybody, he didn’t give him moment to think, give him clarity of mind where he wanted to play and forced him into mistakes.
“He was everywhere, last few minutes of extra time he was clearing headers from the box. I thought he made a real real difference to United’s midfield.”
Fred was not required to take a penalty although with Victor Lindelof the decisive seventh taker, he can’t have been much further off.
He wasn’t needed, and ultimately his performance at Wembley will be remembered for his ‘spoiler’ role to disrupt Brighton’s flow.
But he could nearly have ended with a memorable assist to win the game if United had a player at the back-post to get on the end of his dangerous cross in extra-time.
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