sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Fred's Last Successful Through Ball Was In April, And Even That One's Questionable

Fred's Last Successful Through Ball Was In April, And Even That One's Questionable

The Manchester United midfielder has been one of the team's worst performers in a season of bad performances from everyone.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

The last time Fred completed a successful through ball for one of his teammates was in April, and even then it only registered as successful because Marcus Rashford just touched a pass that was too far ahead of him.

Manchester United flop Fred has been one of the players to come under fire for his recent performances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team and with stats like his it's easy to see why.

As per the Mirror, the last time the Brazilian played a successful through ball was in April during United's game with Barcelona.

That pass was for Marcus Rashford and was actually overhit but registered as 'successful' with the forward stretching to reach it and just getting something on the ball as it rolled through to Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The 'successful' through ball. Image: The Mirror
The 'successful' through ball. Image: The Mirror

Fred's actual successful pass percentage, as per WhoScored, this season in the Premier League is better than Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne but that stat doesn't tell the full story.

A lot of the criticism of the former Shakhtar midfielder is that he doesn't make enough forward passed, as the through ball stat suggests, and his key passes are only at 0.8 a game, unlike De Bruyne's which stands at 4.1 in the league.

So Fred might have an 86.5% to De Bruyne's 84% but all of his passes are sideways or backwards, which isn't helpful for a team who can't score.

The 26-year-old signed for the Red Devils in summer 2018 after Pep Guardiola and Manchester City had also targeted the former Internacional.

He didn't have a major impact last season and made just 17 appearances in the Premier League as he struggled to adapt to English football.

In the summer he returned late to pre season training after arranging his wedding later than the return date for other players as he expected to be in Brazil's Copa America squad but he missed out on the tournament.

Fred chasing Allan Saint-Maximin became a frequent occurrence on Sunday. Image: PA Images
Fred chasing Allan Saint-Maximin became a frequent occurrence on Sunday. Image: PA Images

Following the team's abject display against Newcastle United on Sunday, in the 1-0 loss, Martin Keown ripped into the Brazilian and his fellow midfielders, saying on Match of the Day 2, "They're so inept in possession. Fred, it's almost becoming a joke when he gets the ball. I know it's good closing down but you've got to be able to control it and pass.

"If that's the central midfield then there's not going to be anything created."

It's no wonder Solskjaer's team are struggling to score.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Manchester United, Barcelona, Alexis Sanchez, Premier League, Marcus Rashford, Fred, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Newcastle United