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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Fred explains how Manchester United are beginning to develop under Ralf Rangnick

Manchester United midfielder Fred has described interim manager Ralf Rangnick as a "great coach" and believes that he and his team-mates are becoming more suited and familiar with his methods.

The Brazilian made the admission in the aftermath of Sunday's thrilling 4-2 win over Leeds United at Elland Road, in which he stepped off the bench to put United 3-2 up after Leeds had battled back from 2-0 down to draw level.

With United struggling to get a foothold in the contest after letting their two-goal advantage slip, Rangnick turned to his substitutes bench and deployed Fred, along with Anthony Elanga, in a bid to to help his side rediscover a sense of control.

Much to Rangnick's surprise, Fred and Elanga, of course, proved themselves to be the match-winners, each getting on the scoresheet.

Beginning to thrive under Rangnick's methods, Fred, who has registered five direct goal contributions since the German took charge in November, has admitted that United are begging to evolve under his management, although he has conceded that it was "difficult" to experience a change in manager mid-season.

Fred, speaking to ESPN Brazil, said: "We're evolving, we're working. Rangnick is a great coach.

"It's also difficult to change coaches in the middle of the season. But we are fitting in, we are working to understand his work. We're already much better at this.

"And we're trying to get the win every game. So this is important to us. Today [Sunday] was a great victory, Wednesday we have a big game [vs Atletico Madrid] and we have to stay focused.

"And as I said, it's keeping your head on straight, step by step, that we're going to finish the season in our best possible place."

Explaining why he chose to send on Fred and Elanga when he did at Elland Road, Rangnick explained: "It was great to bring on two energetic players like Fred and Anthony Elanga. They both scored in the end.

"This is the best part of it: I didn't bring them on to score goals, it was about getting more energy to the team again and play in a similar style to we played in the first-half."

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