Former Manchester United players Owen Hargreaves and Michael Owen ripped into Fred's performance following their old side's drab 0-0 draw with AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
During a match which lacked intensity from the start Fred was one of those who most struggled to make an impression, repeatedly giving away possession and failing to stamp any kind of authority on a game which summed up his nightmare spell so far at Old Trafford.
Speaking on BT Sport after full-time, both Hargreaves and Owen were not in a forgiving mood for the 26-year-old's display.
"Regardless of where you play, you can't afford to give the ball away as much as he did today," said Hargreaves.
"I think there is a really good player in there, I just don't know why we're seeing him play like this. At Shakhtar he had some terrific games, that's why Man City were interested in him, but today was not the level that he's up to.
"He's really good on the ball normally, he's got two good feet. There was a big opportunity for him today to step up and do well but instead he did the opposite."
Owen went in even stronger on Fred, claiming that he is not even sure what his best position is.
He added: "He's just a moderate player, isn't he? That's the bottom line. What can you say?
"We were discussing what's his best position? I probably think it's a six, Owen (Hargreaves) thinks it's an eight, but then once you start arguing about it you think is he that good?
"He can't do either role that well and he cost, what, £50 million?"
Fred signed from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donestk in 2018, but endured a miserable first season at United, and his form doesn't appear to be getting any better at the start of the current campaign.
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