After Manchester United roared back into the top four with their 3-2 victory against Tottenham Hotspur, Cristiano Ronaldo was the talk of the town.
The Portuguese ace was back to his imperious best, smashing home a sensational hattrick as Antonio Conte’s helpless side watched in horror.
But in and amongst an electric Old Trafford atmosphere powered by the deafening ‘Siuuu’ chants that greet every Ronaldo goal, one often maligned Red Devil was cooking up a storm of his own.
Fred, the Brazilian midfield engine who is often reduced to the role of scapegoat, enjoyed one of his finest displays in a United shirt.
Mirror Football considers everything Fred did so brilliantly against Spurs.
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With Scott McTominay ruled out of the contest due to a positive Coronavirus test, Fred was deployed alongside the experienced, but significantly less mobile, Nemanja Matic.
The Serbian midfielder’s range of passing and vision was counterbalanced by Fred’s predatory pressing instincts and ability to find little pockets of space between the Tottenham midfield and defence.
Matic has only started ten Premier League matches all season, while Fred, so often in the line of sight of Roy Keane’s stinging United criticism, is hardly an Old Trafford favourite.
However, the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder was nothing short of brilliant for the Reds against Spurs.
He used the ball well, he regularly broke Tottenham’s midfield lines, and he battled for every single loose ball and tackle.
"He's probably, together with Scott McTominay, one of the best ball-winners if the other team is in possession," Rangnick said of Fred after the match.
"He also showed today in quite a few counterattacks and transitional moments he can play perfect balls, he gave the assist for the first goal to Cristiano.
"So also, from Fred, it's one of the best performances since I was here."
While Fred’s contributions are more of a defensive and protective nature, the Brazilian’s greatest influence was in the forward areas.
Paul Pogba’s fascinating deployment in the so-called ‘Number 10’ position, created space for both Fred and Ronaldo to exploit.
Pogba was afforded the freedom to roam across the pitch, whether it was dropping into his favoured deeper positions, or ghosting in behind the United backline.
He pulled Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur all over the place, resulting in huge areas of the pitch opening for Fred and Ronaldo.
And it was this combination of players that led to United’s opening goal.
Raphael Varane picked up the ball on the half-way line and picked out Fred who had wandered into a space just in front of Ronaldo.
Instinctively, Fred immediately flicked the ball around the corner to the lurking Ronaldo, and the Portuguese ace had the space and time to compose himself and lash a 25-yard effort into the top right-hand corner.
It was the perfect example of the efficiency and industriousness of Fred’s play. He has often been guilty of needlessly giving the ball away, while his defensive work of the ball has often left plenty to be desired.
But this was a contest where the Brazilian made a huge contribution and difference to Rangnick’s side.
If such performances are to be replicated on a consistent basis, then United may just have a chance finishing the campaign in the top four.
