'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwf/2gAIAQEAAAAAgBf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAA//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAEDEAAAAEP/xAAfEAACAgEEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwIEEgAFETEiQVH/2gAIAQEAAT8A2mwbV1AkpKoVabEkJhgXRxlzmfp570zbmCcgm4+CgfGGROI9DvX/xAAXEQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACABEi/9oACAECAQE/AFhUZ//EABsRAAIBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAQREjGx/9oACAEDAQE/AMQ9OrNu54J//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has hit out at critics for singling out Manchester United midfielder Fred for his performances.
The Red Devils are set to sign Brazilian international midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid, who will provide competition to his compatriot Fred in the middle of the park.
Fred has often seen his performances severely scrutinized at Manchester United since his move from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018.
Fabinho has jumped to the defence of his international teammate and believes that Fred has been unfairly treated by fans and the media. The Liverpool midfielder believes that the Brazilian has become a scapegoat for the Red Devils' misfortunes.
Fabinho told The Telegraph:
“Sometimes, I don’t really understand the criticisms with Fred because he is a regular player, he always plays good football. In general, Manchester United have not been successful in the last seasons so you try to find a solution or you try to put the fault on some of the players and sometimes I think Fred is that player."
Fabinho has insisted that Fred needs to be shown confidence by Manchester United in order to fare better at Old Trafford. The former AS Monaco midfielder stated that Fred is still a starter for Brazil for a reason. He added:
“But he is a good player, in the national team, he is always a starter, he always plays good and, yes, sometimes the player needs a little bit more confidence to play good."
“Last season, he played really good football, maybe he was one of the best United players. This season United didn’t start really good but I hope Fred will play good and United will stay playing like this.”
Liverpool and Manchester United will both be desperate for a win on Monday
Both United and Liverpool have endured underwhelming starts to their respective Premier League campaigns. The Red Devils lost their opening game 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion before being battered 4-0 by Brentford.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have drawn their first two games of the season against Fulham (2-2) and Crystal Palace (1-1), respectively.
The two iconic English clubs will clash on Monday night (August 22) in a must-win game for both sides.
