In Focus: Rangnick can get the best out of Fred the red

Not many people would have had Fred down as the first scorer of the Ralf Rangnick era at Manchester United.

The much-maligned midfielder had only previously scored two Premier League goals — but it was his delightful 20-yard lob that secured a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace to get Rangnick’s reign off to a successful start.

And it might just be a sign of things to come for Fred, with the Brazilian being tipped for a renaissance under United's interim boss. 

Will he continue to impress when the Red Devils travel to Norwich this evening? Here is why there is every chance of that happening.

A point to prove

It seems there always has to be a scapegoat when things go south — and throughout Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure, Fred frequently took the flak for United’s shortcomings.

But many of the 28-year-old’s failings were down to the tactical approach of his old manager, rather than the Belo Horizonte native’s ability.

Fred will feel that he has a point a prove and United fans will soon be won over if they consistently see him at his best.

Fix it Ralf

Solskjaer’s side so often resembled a scattered mess of individual parts. Naturally, one of Rangnick’s primary tasks is to assemble them into something cohesive.

In the innovative German’s trademark 4-2-2-2 system, Fred is no longer just a loose piece — he has a proper place.

Like Solskjaer, the godfather of gegenpressing brings chaos — but of an organised kind. And it is that organisation Fred will benefit from. 

The importance of structural integrity

Fred plays with a natural intensity. But that can look chaotic without the right structure in place, as was the case when Solskjaer was in charge.

Now, though, his full-on nature is being maximised, as former United defender Rio Ferdinand pointed out following the Palace game.

He said: "When a new manager comes in there’s always a player or two who jumps out from the pack.

"Galvanised, a new lease of life, you see something different in them. Fred could be that guy under [Rangnick]. 

"Because the way he plays in terms of intensity, he gives you everything — he’s sharp, he gets about people.

"If he’s doing that with somebody giving him tactical nous now, from a structure, Fred could become a mainstay in this team, trust me."

A freed Fred

Against Palace, Fred looked very much like someone playing with the shackles off as his goal — which he struck with his weaker right foot — perfectly exemplified.

Where the previous structure, or lack of, meant Fred’s forays forward risked leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the park, now he need not worry.

Thanks to Rangnick’s emphasis on making the pitch as narrow as possible — which allows his team to press most effectively as a unit — those holes have been filled and Fred can attack with freedom.

More goals to come?

Fred was not signed for his goals but he left Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2018 with a solid scoring record for a more defensive-minded midfielder.

In 155 appearances for the Ukrainian outfit, he found the net 15 times — which works out at a goal roughly every 10 games. For comparison, he averages approximately a goal every 23 games for United.

With greater licence to get into advanced positions and take a shot, there could be a few more where last Sunday’s superb match-sealing strike came from.