‘There has been a lot of things going on in my mind… but Ole has helped me a lot’: Fred reveals support of Solskjaer has got him through ‘hard few months’ at Manchester United
- Fred hailed the impact of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in helping him at Man United
- The Brazilian has struggled since he made the move from Shakhtar Donetsk
- A starring role in the PSG win suggests Fred is now ready to seize his moment
- Solskjaer has helped Fred overcome a ‘hard few months’ without playing games
Manchester United midfielder Fred admits it has been a ‘hard few months’ but credited boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with bringing out the best in him.
The Brazilian has struggled since he made the switch to United last summer in a £52million move from Shakhtar Donetsk.
His minutes on the pitch have fallen massively in recent months but a starring role in Wednesday’s dramatic 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain suggests the midfielder is now ready to seize his moment in a United shirt.
Fred admits it has been a ‘hard few months’ having struggled to break into Man United’s team
The Brazilian hailed the work of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in helping him discover his best form
‘It’s been a hard few months,’ Fred told ESPN. ‘I have not been playing. There has been a lot of things going on in my mind.
‘Ole has helped me a lot. He had a lot of chats with me. [Michael Carrick] also speaks to me a lot. That brings me calm that things will turn around for me.
‘They trust me and I feel that trust. And they were right to trust me because I showed tonight that I can play against one of the best teams in the world and play well.
Fred has started two of the last three matches and is rising to the challenge in a starting role
‘I’m very, very happy. My confidence is getting better.’
Injuries to 10 players saw United’s squad stripped back but what that brought was an opportunity for players, like Fred, who had found themselves on the periphery.
United fans were left purring in Paris after witnessing the player that garnered such rave reviews in Ukraine.
Fred demanded possession of the ball and helped to boss the game alongside youngster Scott McTominay.
Expectations for his first season in England were high but only now is Fred looking ready to seize his moment in a United shirt.
He has featured in only 18 matches so far this season, starting in 13, including the first three games of the season and two of the past three.
He reveals he has spoken closely with both Solskjaer and Michael Carrick in a bid to settle
Progression in the FA Cup and Champions League means there are still plenty of matches left of United’s season and with his confidence on the rise, Fred will look to make the central midfield spot his own.
After the highs of beating PSG, attention now turns to Sunday’s trip to top four rivals Arsenal, themselves wounded by a 3-1 first-leg defeat to Rennes in the last-16 of the Europa League.
Paul Pogba will be eligible to return after missing the PSG win through suspension but Fred, after such an impressive and dominant performance, will look to retain a starting spot at the Emirates Stadium.
