Manchester United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward has come in for heavy criticism from sections of the fanbase in recent years.
Woodward has been slammed for failing to strengthen the Red Devils, despite splashing millions on high-profile players every transfer window.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson, Woodward has seen three full-time managers come and go in the form of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
Woodward was set to work alongside the latter during the 2018 summer transfer window, but allegedly vetoed the list of targets drawn up by Mourinho.
This created friction between manager and board and led to unrest among fans.
Instead of going after the players Mourinho was targeting, the Portuguese was made to compromise and sign stars that had the board's approval.
One of these men was Fred, who United signed for £52million in June 2018.
According to The Athletic, Mourinho was never particularly keen on signing Fred.
The Portuguese simply agreed to bring the Brazilian to Old Trafford because he needed a player in his position, and there was no one else readily available.
In Fred's first season at Manchester United, Mourinho was apparently proven right.
The Brazilian was woeful for the Red Devils, and fans grew increasingly frustrated that Woodward was making recruitment decisions despite not being a 'football man'.
Mourinho was eventually sacked and replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as results continued to go against United.
Fred was very much on the peripheral when Solskjaer took the reins, but slowly the Brazilian has been introduced to the first team at United.
And it's safe to say the midfielder has improved immeasurably - so much so that he is one of the first names on Solskjaer's teamsheet these days.
Woodward may have made some mistakes were recruitment is concerned in the past, but on this occasion is seems he was right to overrule Mourinho and sign Fred.
