In both matches so far this season Fred has missed one in four passes and given the ball away once every four touches
Against Southampton both Fred and Matic had 75% passing accuracy and gave the ball away once every four touches
In comparison Kovacic had 94% passing accuracy against Arsenal
Manchester United have a midfield problem. This is nothing new. Shinji Kagawa, Nick Powell, Tom Cleverley, Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind, Ángel Di María and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have all been tried in midfield and all have left. You could argue that the middle of United’s line-up hasn’t worked properly since that days of Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick.
In their two matches so far this season United have played a 4-2-3-1 formation with Fred-plus-one forming the defensive midfield two. Dropping two points at St. Mary’s highlighted United’s weakness in this area. All stats are courtesy of the Manchester United and StatsZone applications.
Against Leeds United Fred was partnered with Scott McTominay. Fred played all 90 minutes whilst McTominay played for 70 before being replaced with Nemanja Matić. Although Fred scored he didn’t create any chances. In a total of 53 touches he gave the ball away 13 times, once every 4.08 touches. McTominay managed 48 touches and gave the ball away 8 times, once every 6 touches. 29 of Fred’s 38 passes (76%) found their target, 27 of McTominay’s 32 passes (84%) found theirs.
Against Southampton, though, the situation was gloomier. Fred touched the ball 70 times. His partner Matić 91 times. Fred won the ball back 13 times, Matić 11 times. But the Brazilian conceded possession 16 times (once every 4.38 touches) while the Serbian lost it 22 times (once every 4.14 touches). In other words, the two players making up United’s midfield base were both giving the ball away with every fourth touch.
Fred did show some creative zeal with a neat lobbed pass to Mason Greenwood.
He also has a willingness to close down play which, unfortunately, led to him scoring an own goal.
But for two matches now the Brazilian has consistently conceded possession for every four touches he makes. His passing accuracy has also been consistent with a quarter of his passes missing in both matches.
Against Southampton Fred’s passing accuracy was 75%. Matić’s was almost identical again at 76%.
On the same day as United’s match against Southampton Chelsea faced Arsenal with a central midfield of Jorginho and Mateo Kovačić. Jorginho’s passing accuracy was 87%. Kovačić managed 94%. Rodri played at the base of Manchester City’s midfield against Norwich City the day before. His passing accuracy was 91%.
Of course, it is difficult to compare different midfielders playing different opposition. But in a season where Paul Pogba has already matched the number of goal assists managed in the whole of last season’s league campaign (5) and Bruno Fernandes has helped himself to a hattrick, United’s defensive midfield is clearly an area of weakness. Fred’s time at United has never been easy, with Mourinho making it clear from the beginning that he didn’t want him. Regardless, it would not be hard for opposition coaches to target this area. United’s apparent interest in Saúl Ñíguez and Eduardo Camavinga is not difficult to understand.