Fred believes he is slowly overcoming his struggles to adapt to English football and will prove he belongs at Manchester United.

The Brazil midfielder made only his second Premier League start of the season in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool.

Fred’s troubles have invited comparisons with the problems his compatriot, Klebersen, had adapting to life at Old Trafford in 2003 before his departure after just two seasons.

But Fred – a £52 million recruit from Shakhtar Donetsk last year and the fifth most expensive footballer in United’s history – is determined not to end up the same way.

“My first season was difficult but that is normal when a footballer changes league,” he told the UAE paper The National. “The Ukrainian league isn’t as strong as the Premier League. It’s faster and more physical here.

“You need to start games strongly and finish them strongly. It’s the full force for 90 minutes, but it takes time to adapt to English football when you come from Ukraine, even though I was playing against some of the best teams in the Champions League, but I believe I am adapting.”