Will Fred’s arrival at Old Trafford help free up Paul Pogba?

Last week Manchester United signed Brazilian Midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk for €52 million- could he now help Pogba reach his potential?

Fred is currently on duty with the Brazilian national team in Russia as a key part of the squad which is many people’s favourites to win the World Cup in July.

His arrival at United is a signal of intent from club manager Jose Mourinho as he continues to bolster his squad in preparation for a genuine title bid next season.

The Red Devils were often criticised last year for losing the midfield battle in games against the top sides, with former Juventus man Paul Pogba receiving the brunt of the criticism.

Signing Fred from Shakhtar could prove to be an inspired move from Mourinho because the 25-year-old has the attributes to provide exactly what the team is missing in the middle of the park.

A box to box midfielder with a great left foot, fantastic passing range and exceptional engine, Fred is capable of covering ground quickly across the pitch, helping to unload the burden on any of his more forward-thinking teammates.

Mourinho expressed his delight at the transfer as he told reporters: “Fred will complement our other midfielders’ qualities, which we need. His creative brain and passing vision will give us another dimension to our game,”

“I am very happy he is joining our club and I believe our players know how important he can be in our team.”

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Mourinho knows that in Fred, he may have found the key to getting the best out of their enigmatic French playmaker Paul Pogba, whose Manchester United career to date has been blighted by inconsistency.

Presumably, the Reds boss will employ his new signing in a holding midfield role alongside or just in front of Nemanja Matic, which will allow Pogba to shirk the defensive side of his game somewhat and focus on influencing proceedings in the final third of the pitch.

Next season is huge for the Frenchman, who has yet to justify the massive fee paid for his services two years ago and must start delivering the goods, for the sake of his career and of United’s chances when it comes to catching Manchester City.

To get the best out of Pogba, he needs a midfielder behind him that can feed him the ball regularly; a player comfortable in possession that can allow him to drift into more advanced roles.

As good as Matic is at what he does, he is an out-and-out defensive midfielder specialising in breaking up play rather than being known for his ball playing ability. Therefore last season, United struggled to get the ball to Pogba in threatening positions.

Fred, however, has the necessary skill set to bring balance to the midfield. He can be the man to insert some urgency into United’s build-up play and also ensure that they don’t get caught by any quick counter attacks.

A shrewd early piece of business by Mourinho may well end up being his most important signing for Manchester United and the midfielder is also very excited over the prospect of working with the Portuguese maestro.

He spoke to the media after his unveiling at Old Trafford: “This is the biggest club in the world and I am delighted to be a part of this amazing team. To work with Jose Mourinho, who has won so many trophies in his time as a coach, is an opportunity not to be missed.”

A 2nd place finish in the Premier League last season was nowhere near enough to paper over the cracks of what was a majorly disappointing year for United last season.

Losing finalists in the FA Cup, a last 16 exit to Sevilla in the Champions League and ultimately finishing 19 points behind their local rivals in the league, Mourinho is now working on borrowed time.

The 2018/19 season represents the last chance for Mourinho and indeed possibly Pogba too, but the early transfer activity should provide cause for optimism around the club.

If Pogba can link up with Fred effectively and push forward to make a difference consistently for the team, rather than just sporadically, then United will of course vastly improve.

Next: French star admits fallout under Mourinho

Pogba’s talent and exceptional ability has never been in doubt, it has just been a question of working out a system which can bring the best out of him. Now that Fred is a red, United fans could finally be about to see the best of the French playmaker – which could lead the club back towards renewing the glory days.