Manchester United midfielder Fred has heaped praise on Michael Carrick for helping him drastically improve his performances after a difficult first season at Old Trafford.
Much was expected of the Brazilian after his £52m move from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018, but he failed to make a strong impression during his first season and made only 17 Premier League appearances.
However, Fred has cemented himself in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first XI this campaign, already featuring 25 times in the Premier League.
He has also shone in the Europa League, where he has scored twice and assisted four times in just six appearances to help guide United to within reach of the quarter-finals.
And the 27-year-old has credited Carrick's coaching for resurrecting his United career. "He has helped me a lot in this process of adaptation and transition," Fred told Brazilian outlet Trivela.
"He's a guy who was an idol at the club and was a great player in the same position that I play.
"On a daily basis, he helps me a lot, always talking to me. After training we always do a little work to complement it, sometimes finishing, sometimes passing.
"(Carrick is) a guy who understands the game, who lived it, and it's impossible for there to be anyone better than him to help me.
"He knows about the difficulties, the shortcuts, and he tries to show me everything there is in training and in games. He's a guy who has been of huge importance for me at United and I'm very grateful to him."
As Fred acknowledged, first-team coach Carrick is an ideal mentor due to his years of experience at the heart of United's midfield.
The former England international made over 450 appearances for the Red Devils and won a host of honours during his twelve-year stay at Old Trafford.
