Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has revealed Fred has not been playing due to the club’s defensive instability.
The Brazilian has only started six of United’s 15 Premier League matches and was dropped for the midweek clash against Arsenal.
Mourinho started Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic in front of a five-man defense against Arsenal, as Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini were relegated to the bench.
Fred is fit for a recall against Fulham on Saturday but Mourinho insists his priority is shoring up a defence which has sieved 25 goals in 15 league matches.
“Step by step. You have also other players in other clubs that needed their time and you have some of them that played even less than what Fred is playing,” said Mourinho.
“I think Fred, when the team is defensively stronger and doesn’t need in midfield people that is more worried in giving balance to the team than being involved in the creation and attacking dynamic, the day we are stronger defensively, I think the horizons for Fred change completely
Has Fred impressed you so far?