Manchester United midfielder Fred has spoken to the Brazilian media following the 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
Despite finishing the game with less ball possession, the Red Devils still managed to have more shots, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer proving to have a good antidote for Pep Guardiola’s playing style.
Fred talked a little about these tactics, praising Manchester United’s defence for making their strategy possible.
“Our team is a very fast up front. And City is a team that like to keep the ball. We have a very strong and very fast counterattack. So it’s important for us,” Fred told ESPN Brasil.
“We have a very solid defence, we are defending very well. Another game without conceding goals. So, as I said, it’s important to defend well there, we managed to come out on the counterattack, our strategy worked and we came out victorious.”
With the Old Trafford side now unbeaten for ten matches, Fred was asked what was the change for them to have such a successful sequence.
“For everything. It’s the mindset, our mindset. We know that we have to defend well to get out to the attack fast. The defenders, our defensive midfielders, to distribute the ball to Bruno, to those in the front, to Anthony. So the mentality starts there in the attack, we start defending from up there, we’re back there defending as well, midfield and defence. So this solid defence is important for us to get out quickly and score our goals.”
Manchester United are now closer to getting a place in the Champions League for next season, and Fred urges the team to keep up the good form.
“We have to keep playing well. Continue in our good sequence that we are living. Because we are three points from a place in the Champions League. We still have the Europa League in the middle of the week. So we have to remain firm, with a strong mentality, play well and always seek victory.”
Fred was also asked about the arrival of Bruno Fernandes, which has been a big boost for Manchester United’s squad. The Brazilian has praised the impact the new signing brought to the team, and says it’s their job to feed him the ball.
“Bruno is a great player who made a strong impact. He came helping us. He has an intelligence… very intelligent there in the midfield with the ball at his feet. It’s like I said, our midfield, the defensive midfielders, have to get the ball to him and the attackers so they can solve it.”
