Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has held talks in recent days to reassure Brazil midfielder Fred over his Manchester United future. The Old Trafford caretaker felt it was a good time to put the 25-year-old’s mind at rest, having made just 15 appearances this season following his £52m move from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer.
Fred last featured in the FA Cup victory over Reading on Jan 5 and there have even been reports that Solskjaer simply doesn’t fancy the player.
However, United insiders have dismissed those claims and the Norwegian also made a point of name checking Fred in his press conference ahead of Tuesday’s 2-2 home draw with Burnley, which keeps the Red Devils right in the mix for a top-four Premier League finish. Fred’s partner recently gave birth and it’s understood Solskjaer took his man aside last week to check everything was settling down at home and to insist he will be needed during the remaining months of the season.
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Fred, who turned down rivals Manchester City in favour of the Theatre of Dreams last summer, has found it hard to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League, in addition to also learning English.
Former boss Jose Mourinho felt Fred needed time out of the limelight to improve his overall strength and conditioning, but Solskjaer doesn’t hold any reservations and told the South American he has been impressed by his efforts in training despite his lack of quality first-team minutes.
