Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho would get more out of summer signing Fred if he deployed him in a more advanced midfield role, according to Shakhtar Donetsk boss Paulo Fonseca.
Fred has been only an intermittent presence in United’s starting XI since arriving at Old Trafford in a £52 million deal from Shakhtar in June, performing inconsistently in Mourinho’s three-man midfield.
Paul Pogba has often been the man given most freedom by Mourinho to attack from midfield but Fonseca, who managed Fred during the Brazilian’s last two years in Ukraine, believes his former star has much more to offer United in the final third – though it would require a change of system.
“In my opinion, his position is in a midfield two as the more attacking of two central midfield players,” Fonseca told ESPN FC.
“He is physically strong and mobile, with the quality to build play, but he is also very good at breaking from midfield and going to either side of the attack.”
Fred was also the subject of interest from Premier League champions Manchester City in the summer and arrived at United amid much fanfare, but has provided only flashes of his quality at Old Trafford so far this season.
Fonseca is adamant that the 25-year-old will prove his worth to United and to Mourinho, stressing that the transition from Ukrainian football to the Premier League is not a simple one.
“He's a big talent and he's still developing,” the Shakhtar coach added of Fred.
“I have no doubt he'll have a great future at Manchester United. But, of course, he needs time. It's totally different from what he was used to in Ukraine.
“He needs a period to adapt, to the club, to the league. It's a totally different situation.”
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