Martin Keown believes Fred must replicate his derby-day performance if he is to keep Martin Odegaard quiet when Manchester United travel to Arsenal on Sunday.
Erik ten Hag's side followed last Saturday's incredible 2-1 comeback win against Manchester City with a rather underwhelming draw at Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Two dropped points at Selhurst Park ended United's chance of leapfrogging their cross-city rivals into second - even if only for 24 hours - but victory on Sunday would pull all three leading horses to within five points of each other.
Michael Olise's injury-time free-kick was a blow, but the yellow card handed to Casemiro 10 minutes prior was almost as crushing. The Brazilian brought down Wilfried Zaha and received his fifth booking of the season, handing one of United's most crucial players a suspension for Sunday's trip to the Emirates.
LIVE: Latest United takeover news plus Arsenal build-up
His absence on Sunday has raised the question as to who will fill the 30-year-old's boots, with Fred likely to take on the role of destroyer. The fellow Brazilian shackled Kevin De Bruyne for much of last weekend's derby, his relentless energy allowing him to keep within arm's length of the Belgian for much of the 90 minutes. And Keown believes that if Ten Hag is to do to his former side what he did to City, then a similar tactic must be used to suppress Odegaard.
"Erik ten Hag deserves huge credit for the way he’s turned United around and brought them into title contention," Keown wrote in his Daily Mail column. "They finished with 58 points last season, their lowest total since 1990, but Ten Hag has tactically improved his new signings and the players he inherited.
"The Dutchman rested Fred and started Casemiro against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, with each of them one booking from a suspension. Casemiro’s late yellow card and Michael Olise’s stoppage-time equaliser was a devastating double blow to United's title bid.
"Casemiro has been pivotal to United as a deep-lying midfielder. His partnership with Fred gives the side much greater defensive stability. That was evident last weekend, with Fred outstanding in his man-marking of Manchester City’s most creative player, Kevin De Bruyne.
"Arsenal represent a similar problem to City, as both Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola play 4-3-3. With Casemiro suspended, Ten Hag has been left with a tactical dilemma — including whether or not to ask Fred to man-mark Arsenal’s most creative player, Martin Odegaard."
The Norwegian has been in fine form this season, leading the Gunners to an unexpected title challenge. Recent weeks in particular have seen Arsenal's creator-in-chief dominate proceedings, registering two goals and three assists since the turn of the year. Management of the 24-year-old will prove crucial in gaining the upper hand on Sunday.
READ NEXT
Kobbie Mainoo almost joined City academy before 'amazing' United debut
United midfield for Arsenal might have already been revealed by Erik ten Hag
Jadon Sancho has been given an blueprint to follow at United
'World-class' - What managers have said about United so far this season
Mikel Arteta reacts to Casemiro absence for United vs Arsenal
