Fred can still become an effective player for Manchester United if he gets back to his best form, according to former Red Devils midfielder Owen Hargreaves.
The Brazil international was selected in the starting line-up for the goalless draw with AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League, where he sloppily conceded possession on a number of occasions.
Despite a disappointing showing, in a night to forget for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side that saw United fail to register a single shot on target, Hargreaves is adamant there is still a good player in him.
However, he admitted that he was disappointed from the showing from Fred and his midfielder partner Nemanja Matic in the draw with the Eredivisie side.
“That was the most disappointing thing, it was a big opportunity for Matic and Fred but it didn’t go well for them,” he told BT Sport.
“They should have been the experienced ones in that side, calming those younger players who need the guidance, but you just didn’t see it.
“For a Manchester United team with those players on the pitch not to have a shot on target, they don’t have to play brilliantly and win every game, but there should be more intent there.
“Regardless of where you play, you can’t afford to give it away as much as Fred did and he gave it away a lot.
“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 but today was not the level that he’s up to.
“It was a big opportunity for him to step up and do really well but he did the opposite.”
