Gilberto Silva is convinced that the much-criticised Manchester United midfield man Fred will come good at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old Brazil international moved to United from Shakhtar Donetsk for £52million in the summer.
But he has failed as yet to make an impact in the Premier League and live up to that hefty price tag.
Indeed manager Jose Mourinho has only given the man who has played more than 30 times for his country only seven Premier League matches since his arrival from the Ukraine.
But former Arsenal midfield star Silva said: 'I am confident he will do well at United.
'He is a strong character and he has shown that in the past. There is a huge difference between life in Brazil and in the Ukraine but Fred adapted well. He will also adapt at Old Trafford in time.'
Silva was instrumental in arranging the move to United for Fred.
'I speak with him regularly and it was always his wish to come to England if he left the Ukraine.'
Silva is still in touch with Fred on a frequent basis and insists that the player is determined to succeed at United.
'It takes time to get used to football in England. It was hard for me when I first came to Arsenal from Brazil. Everything is different. The pace and the tempo of game. The intensity. It is so different to Brazil.
'For Fred, it will also be different than in the Ukraine.'
Silva feels that United's fragmented start to the season has not helped Fred. Mourinho's team have been worryingly inconsistent. Impressive results have quickly been followed by a poor performance.
In the Manchester derby a week ago, they were outplayed by City in a 3-1 defeat.
'The moment at the club is not the best,' said Silva. 'That has been a problem. And that means there has been a lot of pressure on him and the rest of the players.
'Also, Fred has been used to playing in a certain system in the Ukraine and now he has to get used to another one.
'But I know him well. I know he will fight. When I speak to him he tells me he just wants to work harder. He is very determined to be a success.
'And I am sure he will be.'
raabdiuz
0
Manchester united has no brains rn. They're so lost. They have no tactics, no concrete starting eleven, no positive consistency and no chemistry. It's understandable why he'd be lost in a system like that.
Vipacdknot
0
fred is a flop.
Rasbnoty
0
Where's Dalot? Pereira? Fred? Bailly? Why is Matic still starting? What did Lingard or Rashford do to deserve a start? But don't worry Jose will just blame it on the ref or the injury on Pogba.
have u ever given yourself time to watch Lingard .The boy is good My concern is on Matic ????
paubimz
0
it's time for action not empty promises Fred because Manchester United is straggling,now fighting for top 4 , therefore to go at champion league .
TonyV25
3
Can anyone explain why he was dropped? As I can't see his performance being the reason
Fihbenosu
0
well said he will succed in man united fred is a good footballer
cazdemstuz
0
Jose brought in Bailly and Lindelof... Doesn't use Bailly, doesn't use Fred.. these are HIS signings. Would you give him more money? Honest question...
Hell no
Cynthiares
1
Matic is garbage. Fred needs to be in there.
verbiage
0
I wish we could find him on the Arsenal bench.
fatwill
0
Man Utd fans......can anyone find Fred
LoveJUV
2
Where's Dalot? Pereira? Fred? Bailly? Why is Matic still starting? What did Lingard or Rashford do to deserve a start? But don't worry Jose will just blame it on the ref or the injury on Pogba.
Stuartkoob
0
Jose brought in Bailly and Lindelof... Doesn't use Bailly, doesn't use Fred.. these are HIS signings. Would you give him more money? Honest question...
pinkmans
0
why Fred isn’t playing ???
emphasize
0
Fred and dalot are for future. they are not a problem, problem is no one else came
Realplayere
1
MOURINHO to blame for them
Sambill
0
We spent 50 million on Fred. And he can’t get a game ahead of Fellaini. Let that sink in. Also forget the 19 point deficit, how do you explain away going from 2nd to 8th in 6 months?
Halehale
0
Does he look like what you'd expect for £50m?
Kongka
0
Why on earth were Dalot & Fred signed ?
idiotkk
0
I want Herrera Pogba Fred
Wiccdlt
1
Some of you guys,you criticise a such quality player(Fred)is a material of MU but mou isn't a material manager. Fred has mature complete passes and diehard united player but haven't given time to play. Mou is a waste of money,every player he spots he thinks He's a flop,nevertheless, Mourinho you're a compromised failure and floppy manager, "get out" ass h**le.
Tehadkrsty
1
Fred cannot succeed at Manchester United.After seeing him play in two or three matches in the Premier League in the current season he cannot fit in with other players in the team.There is no spark in his play.Very disappointing to see his style of play during matches.My only hope is to see MU sell this player soon and get a replacement from the youth academy of the club.
u can't judge a player by only 2-3 matches.. he will come good when the right manager comes to UTD
liwcenpz
0
Fred cannot succeed at Manchester United.After seeing him play in two or three matches in the Premier League in the current season he cannot fit in with other players in the team.There is no spark in his play.Very disappointing to see his style of play during matches.My only hope is to see MU sell this player soon and get a replacement from the youth academy of the club.
beobdipsuz
1
sorry mbanpy if you sane mbanpy man u go bi ok
beobdipsuz
0
I onet mbanpa
aldrInLouw09
4
fred is far better then fellaini and matic...