"More important than Paul Pogba", "Only positive" - Manchester United fans impressed with 29-year-old player's performance

Manchester United fans hailed the performance of Fred in the team's 1-1 Premier League draw against Leicester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Fred's goal cancelled out Kelechi Ihneacho's strike for Leicester. James Maddison scored late in the second half in what seemed to be a winner. However, the effort was ruled out after a VAR check due to Ihneacho's foul on Raphael Varane in the build-up.

While it was a disappointing performance by the Red Devils at home, Fred was arguably United's best player on the day. In addition to scoring the equaliser, he made four successful dribbles, won seven ground duels and made two key passes.

The Brazilian's performance against the Foxes earned him widespread applause. He faced a tough time in the first half of the season, getting criticized consistently. However, since Ralf Rangnick took over as interim manager in November, Fred has arguably been one of United's most improved players.

Fans heaped praise on the midfielder on Twitter. Here are some of the best reactions:

Manchester United lose ground in top-four race

By dropping points against Leicester City, Manchester United have ceded more ground in the Premier League top-four race. They sit sixth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand. They are equal on points with fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have a game in hand.

Arsenal, Spurs and seventh-placed West Ham United are yet to play this week. While the Gunners and Spurs could move clear of United, the Hammers can also surpass United in sixth place.

West Ham will welcome relegation battling Everton at the London Stadium on Sunday. Meanwhile, Spurs will play Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the same day. Arsenal will end the gameweek with a trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Monday.

United face Everton and Norwich City next in the Premier League. They will then lock horns with Liverpool and Arsenal. The Red Devils will need to win all of these games and hope their competitors drop points to make up ground in the top-four race.

About the author

Aditya has been working as a European football journalist and editor for Sportskeeda for close to 4 years. He boasts a total experience of over 7 years, and always aims to inculcate proper context in his articles, making the most of his prior stints in writing and marketing across a number of different industries over the years. He has also played football at college level for 2 years.

A B.Tech. graduate, Aditya's journey as an ardent football fan began after watching the elegant maestro Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the final. He has been a fan of Tottenham Hotspur's front foot and creative football since 2008 and connect's with the club's underdog status.

Aditya, who is a Sportskeeda 'Long-form Editor of the Month' award winner, is a big admirer of Luka Modric's elegant and hard-working style of play. His favorite manager is Carlo Ancelotti because the Italian allows his players enough freedom in an age where micromanagement is the established norm.

Aditya feels Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala could replicate the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry due to their incredible collective potential. In his free time, he likes to read classical fiction, travel to places, and explore a variety of foods.

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