After just three preseason games, it is clear how Erik ten Hag plans to advance and enhance Manchester United's playing approach. Fred might stand to gain the most personally from the arrival of the Dutchman.
Theoretically, and based on the past, the Brazilian midfielder for United should spend as little time on the ball as possible. Although Fred possesses a wealth of technical skills, his inability to make decisions has frequently been his downfall.
However, under Ten Hag, players playing deep and in responsibility of merely maintaining possession are not typically the ones making the crucial decisions.
It is pointless to mention Frenkie de Jong or Ryan Gravenberch in this discussion because Ten Hag has stated that the players on hand have a significant impact on the way his teams are asked to play. The 52-year-old is obviously aware that the current engine room chiefs are not at their best when the ball is in their court.
For instance, according to FBRef, Fred has a pass completion rate per 90 of just 85.1 percent, which is slightly above normal, and a pass completion rate per 90 of 4.47, which is disturbingly close.
Ten Hag has summed up all of the aforementioned and decided to simplify the game for the Brazilian while they work because he is far below average when it comes to progressive carries (35th percentile).
The 29-year-old has done by far his greatest work in regaining possession and keeping things moving in midfield, despite having some bright moments on the ball in the first three preseason games. Historically, he has always excelled in those areas.
According to Ten Hag's definition of proactive football, Fred's pressures per 90 last season (24.56) put him in the 92nd percentile. The Dutch coach wants his team to always be aggressive and never allow the opposition to feel at ease anywhere on the field. It's Fred's specialty.
In addition to the aforementioned, Fred had 2.96 tackles per 90, which put him in the 83rd percentile.
This statistically insignificant sample size demonstrates that Ten Hag explicitly told the midfielder to play to his abilities. Over the past 270 minutes, United's No. 17 has been able to stop a few counterattacks in their tracks with thoughtful tackles in the middle of the park.
Positional awareness and foreseeing potential threats are the next stages of Fred's evolution. Someone in the middle must read the game and spot danger early in Ten Hag's system and the high line he chooses for his teams to play.
Anthony Elanga, Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, and Fred leave the field before Manchester United defeats Melbourne Victory in preseason. (Image)
Fred possesses all the skills necessary to excel as a central midfielder next season. Even more impressive than the previous season, which was his standout performance while wearing Manchester's red.
Ten Hag is still looking to expand his alternatives in the middle. However, he will also want to continue to improve the players he already has at his disposal. Fred looks to be one of them, and it certainly helps that he comes off as being very coachable and having a team-first mentality.
Ten Hag's instructions have been quite clear in Fred's play in the games against Liverpool, Melbourne Victory, and Crystal Palace.
In order to break the press, the Dutch manager wants his full backs to participate in the buildup in midfield and generate overloads. As a result, players like Scott McTominay and Fred can keep things straightforward and make use of their teammates who are constantly pursuing the ball.
This has been a blessing for Fred since now he can pass and move, using his speed, agility, and athleticism to dodge danger and eliminate opponents from the game instead of trying to perform samba magic to resist the press alone. As a result, United's key creators have more room to move forward and perform their duties.
Ten Hag has an excellent grasp of the game, and it is certain that a number of the current Reds, who are unquestionably not as awful as their performance from last season would imply, will progress under his direction.
The beginnings of Fred's improvement are already visible. Many people will agree that his spectacular goal against Liverpool was the high point of his preseason. That may be true in terms of the highlights. But his most complete performance came against Palace in his most recent encounter.
Against Crystal Palace, Fred displayed exceptionally high performance levels. (Image)
Even though the Londoners were compelled to select a team that was entirely inexperienced, Fred was in complete charge from the outset until Ten Hag permitted him to take a break. Simple passes, constant rear-view mirror checks, accurate reads and decisions made prior to receiving the ball.
Fred was efficiently carrying out the more complicated tasks in addition to keeping the ball moving. He was more open to receiving on turn and break lines, especially into the left channel where Marcus Rashford and Tyrell Malacia were working, and his passing range was on display with deft play shifts.
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