Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is backing Fred to shine for Manchester United in Paul Pogba’s absence.
Pogba has been ruled out until December due to the ankle problem that has plagued him since August.
Fred is finally beginning to show some of the form that prompted United to fork out £52m for his signature last year.
The ex-Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder has started four of the last five fixtures.
And Solskjaer has been impressed by his recent performances.
“Fred will probably take Paul’s position for a while now,” the Red Devils boss said.
“He’s been brilliant for us.
(Image: Getty Images)
“There is no use talking about who is not going to be here for a long, long time, because he is not going to come on the pitch and help us until he is fit.
“Paul’s been brilliant and he is a creative midfielder that we need, but then it is up to the others to step up.”
United head into their Carabao Cup fourth-round fixture against Chelsea in high spirits after a positive week.
The 1-1 draw with Liverpool was followed up by victories against Partizan Belgrade and Norwich.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Solskjaer, however, is ready to ring the changes to give some of his fringe players a chance to shine.
“We have not made a decision on who is going to play, but you will probably see the two of them,” he said.
United kicked off their Premier League campaign back in August with a 4-0 win against Chelsea, but Solskjaer admits they were fortunate to record such a handsome win.
“Their performance against us was good, the result was bad,” he said. “We held our hands up then as well and said yes, 4-0 is flattering.
“We didn’t think we were 4-0 better than them. It is going to be an interesting game.”
