Manchester United midfielder Fred played a crucial role in helping the team to a memorable derby day victory.
The Brazilian was tasked with keeping Kevin de Bruyne quiet, and in the first half especially, he ensured the Belgian was anonymous.
De Bruyne did escape Fred to set up City’s opener, however, that was as good as it got for the visitors. City managed just one shot on target all game, and this was largely down to their playmaker’s ineffectiveness.
Fred was just part of Erik ten Hag’s team of stars, but his importance has not gone unnoticed, praised in the national media.
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Reaction to Fred’s derby day display
Former striker Tony Cascarino told The Times that he was impressed by Fred, and also paid tribute to manager Erik ten Hag for his tactics and coaching.
He said: “I haven’t seen a man-marking job in football in recent years and thinking back to big games I haven’t seen one done so effectively.
“Fred is a player who was seen as one of the problems for United in recent seasons but now under Erik ten Hag — and with Casemiro anchoring that midfield — he is showing he can play his part in that central area.
“He’s got great energy and I think he’s a player who needs quite specific coaching and a clear role. He had that on Saturday and played really well.”
Fred has partnered Casemiro for Brazil numerous times, but at Manchester United, they haven’t played together consistently, with Christian Eriksen preferred.
At the weekend Ten Hag selected both Fred and Eriksen, and it was the Brazilian who ended up making the bigger impact, defensively.
This week he is at risk of suspension for the clash at Arsenal, if he picks up a yellow card against Crystal Palace.
United could do with Fred performing a similar job to keep Martin Odegaard quiet at The Emirates, if Fred can avoid a ban.
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