Lock in this prediction and take it to the bank. Fred will not start Manchester United’s next game.
It is not so much a prediction as a cast-iron guarantee.
Fred has joined up with the Brazil international team and they play versus Edinson Cavani’s Uruguay on the Friday at 1.30am, on October 15.
Manchester United’s first international fixture after the break is away at Leicester City on Saturday October 16 at 3pm.
Fred a late returner
Both Fred and Edinson Cavani will not be considered for United’s fixture with Leicester.
Taking out the quarantine situation – which we will get to next – it makes no sense to play either player in a match on a different continent with less than 48 hours between.
United have Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek who are not on international duty. Both players will be fresh and eligible to feature in this game.
Technically, Fred may be eligible. The Guardian report there is no quarantine required for players returning from South America if they have had two Covid vaccinations. Fred’s status is unclear, as is Cavani’s.
In any case, United won’t need Fred against Leicester. And that will be welcome considering his recent poor form.
Fred proving a liability
The Brazilian midfielder has tested the patience of Manchester United fans in recent weeks and months.
It was his last appearance away at Leicester which really kickstarted a slide in form.
Fred’s errant pass saw Leicester score a crucial opener in their 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory.
He has struggled since, playing poorly in games against Southampton, Wolves, and most recently Everton.
Fred was outmuscled twice by Demarai Gray in the lead up to Everton’s equaliser and chose not to commit a tactical foul. It was a poor, naive piece of play which we have become too familiar with seeing.
The expectation that he won’t be in contention for the Leicester game will be welcomed by United supporters, who have been demanding he is dropped anyway.
A caveat
So we have said it is 100 per cent that Fred won’t be involved for United against Leicester from the start. That’s as it stands.
There is a scenario where Fred receives a red card in one of Brazil’s preceding games against Venezuela or Colombia and is sent back to United early, and then could get cleared.
But until that actually happens, it’s not to worry about. Fred won’t be a starter at the King Power on October 16.
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