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Fred torn apart after Man Utd star’s shocker against AZ Alkmaar - ‘Just a moderate player'
Manchester United midfielder Fred had a night to forget against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.
Fred is “just a moderate player” according to former Manchester United striker Michael Owen.
Fred has struggled to gain a regular spot in the United side since joining from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2018.
The £52million midfielder started the Europa League Group L clash away to AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.
However, it is fair to say the 26-year-old did not have his best night in a United shirt.
He’s just a moderate player, isn’t he, that’s the bottom line
United drew the game 0-0 in The Hague and afterwards Owen was damning in his criticism of Fred.
“He’s just a moderate player, isn’t he, that’s the bottom line,” he said on BT Sport.
“What can you say? We were discussing what’s his best position before.
“I’d probably think it’s a No 6, Owen [Hargreaves] thinks it’s a No 8.
“Really, once we start arguing about it, you think he can’t do either role that well.
“What did he cost? £50m-something? These players can’t be this average, they have shown in other teams or a few seasons ago.”
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves says Fred has never shown his Shakhtar form since he has been at Old Trafford.
“Regardless of where you play him, you can’t afford to give the ball away as much as he did today and he gave it away a lot,” Hargreaves said.
“I think there is a really good player in there, I just don’t know why we’re seeing him play like this.
“At Shakhtar he had some terrific games, that’s why Man City were interested in him, but today was not the level that he’s up to.
“He’s really good on the ball normally, he’s got two feet, but whether it’s a confidence thing.
“It was a big opportunity for him today to step up and play really well and he did the opposite.”