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He’s the fourth most expensive signing in Manchester United’s illustrious history but has struggled to make the team in his debut season.

Much was expected of Fred when United paid Shakhtar Donetsk £52million for the Brazil midfielder in the summer, landing him ahead of local rivals Manchester City.

As United’s flagship summer signing and a player highly rated by City boss Pep Guardiola, Fred was expected to make an immediate impact at Old Trafford. But he has struggled to hold down a regular place under Jose Mourinho.

It says everything about how low down the pecking order Fred is that a half-fit Marouane Fellaini started ahead of him in United’s 3-1 derby defeat to City earlier this month.

(Image: PA Wire)

A dynamic box-to-box midfielder, equally adept defending and attacking, Fred was hailed as the man who could bring out the best in Paul Pogba, doing the dirty work United’s £89m record signing finds so onerous and liberating him to push forward.

But it hasn’t worked out that way, with Fred struggling to adapt to the pace and physicality of the English game.

With the 25-year-old restricted to just eight starts from United’s 19 games in all competitions this season, Fred the Red, United’s official mascot, has made more appearances at Old Trafford this season than his struggling namesake.

(Image: Reuters)

Tuesday night’s recall, then, provided Fred with the opportunity to prove his worth, with Mourinho getting ruthless with his high-profile stars, including Pogba, who dropped to the bench after another ineffective display in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.

But there was little, certainly in his first-half performance, to suggest Fred is about to embark on a regular run in the United side and make himself undroppable for Mourinho.

Too often he played his team-mates into danger with under-hit passes, and although he went close with a long-range first-half effort which flew just over, there was no real goal threat from him either.

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Fred’s passing was awry throughout and it was no surprise when he was hooked with 25 left, with Pogba replacing him.

Those close to Fred say he is determined to succeed at United and has vowed to knuckle down and prove he is not another costly transfer market flop from United, like Angel Di Maria and Juan Veron.

Unless there is a dramatic turnaround in his form, Fred looks like having the dubious honour of joining them.