Gary Neville explains why Fred has fallen out of favour at Man United

Speaking on The Overlap, Gary Neville suggested the reason as to Fred’s recent exclusion by Erik ten Hag: “He’s left Fred out for the last few months because he wants Eriksen.

“I’ve got a little bit of an insight into why Fred’s not playing, Sabitzer is playing because he can hold [the ball].

"Sabitzer, Eriksen, Fernandes – he wants players who can take the ball. Every manager wants that.”

Fred isn’t a typical ten Hag midfielder and offers less on the ball and more in his tenacity and how he creates ‘chaos’.

Fred was once a regular for Ten Hag, starting every match in February as Man United progressed against Barcelona in the Europa League and lifted the Carabao Cup trophy after beating Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium.

However, the Brazilian has only featured from the substitutes bench as of late, last starting the second leg against Real Betis in southern Spain.