Fred in hilarious scuffed bicycle kick clearance for Man Utd as blunder nearly gifts Brentford goal
IT would be cruel to judge Fred on just one touch…
But the Manchester United midfielder’s incredible fluffed bicycle-kick clearance nearly gifted Brentford a goal and DID gift his critics ammunition.
The calamitous overhead suggested it could be over, Fred – but he then bounced back with an assist when United hit a quick second-half double.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick has been linked with new central men in this transfer window.
The German is too wily to open and shut the case on Fred for one lapse more befitting Sunday football than the Premier League.
But the Brazilian never looked comfortable as he leaned back waiting for David de Gea’s spiralling punch-out to reach him on the edge of the area.
Fred then fell, more than leapt, as he screwed the ball sideways off his right shin.
Luckily for the former Shakhtar Donetsk star, Brentford then wasted the resulting chance in a goalless opening period rated dire by United fans.
But three other loose, panicky touches from Fred were also singled out in another social media clip of his performance before the break.
A meek header and two failures to control the ball suggested a player bereft of confidence.
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Fortunately, that trio of mishaps were in one mid-pitch exchange and no danger to United’s defence.
But it was all more evidence of why Rangnick is reportedly keen on men like Aston Villa’s John McGinn.
England aces Jude Bellingham, Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice have also been mentioned.
But they are surely dream options for the summer – amid fierce competition from other Prem and European giants.
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