Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has assured midfielder Fred that he is part of his plans at Old Trafford. The Brazilian has made just two starts under the Norwegian since he took charge in mid-December and was substituted in both games. The 25-year-old has failed to impress since his £53million arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk and made just six league starts under Jose Mourinho before he was sacked six weeks ago. Solskjaer’s appointment offered Fred the opportunity to revive his Old Trafford career but he had to pull out of United’s week-long trip to Dubai in January to attend the birth of his first child with long-term partner Monique Salum.
That’s contributed to a stop-start introduction to life under the Norwegian and Metro.co.uk understands Solskjaer felt a need to discuss the midfielder’s situation with the Brazilian. Solskjaer stressed to Fred that he is happy with his performance levels in training and that he will not be short on opportunities to impress in the remainder of the season. Fred was also said to have been heartened that Solskjaer knew of his qualities before his move to the Theatre of Dreams and appreciated the Norwegian taking time out of his busy schedule to assure him that he’s part of his plans. Though just a small gesture, Solskjaer’s attentive nature has not gone unnoticed within the United squad, who felt isolated by Mourinho during the final weeks of his tenure at the club.
The Brazilian endured a difficult six months under Mourinho and confided in Manchester City ace Fernandinho about his early struggles in the north-west. Mourinho claimed his side’s deficiencies in defence made it difficult for him to pick Fred, as it would further upset the balance in his starting XI.
Marouane Fellaini’s departure to China should aid Fred’s desire for first team opportunities but he remained an unused substitute in United’s 1-0 win against Leicester on Sunday. Solskjaer jetted off to Lyon immediately after United’s win to scout Champions League opponents Paris Saint-Germain. Thomas Tuchel’s men were beaten 2-1 in Lyon, bringing to an end their unbeaten start to the league campaign. The French giants will be without Neymar for both legs against United, while there are also doubts over Marco Verratti’s fitness
