Manchester United News: Maligned Midfielder Gains Redemption After Scoring Winner

KEY POINTS

Fred redeem himself by scoring the match-winner against Crystal Palace
Teammate Diogo Dalot and the Manchester United faithful praise Fred's performance
Ralf Rangnick needs to put his new squad to work as their lack of fitness was apparent in the second half

Manchester United midfielder Fred has won back the favor of fans at Old Trafford after scoring the match-winner against Crystal Palace on Sunday, December 5.

Speaking to MUTV, attacking fullback Diogo Dalot led the charge in praising Fred’s performance.

“Everybody can criticize him [Fred] but he keeps his head clean, he goes inside the pitch and every game he gives everything that he has - that is what this club is about. Even if you lose a ball, even if you lose a shot on goal, you are always going to try next and you are always going to fight for the team. That's what we want,” Dalot beamingly told them as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

Manchester United fully bought into the high-pressing tactics of Ralf Rangnick as soon as the opening whistle blew, generating 11 scoring chances that turned into 12 total shots with two of them being on target, along with seven corners to end the half.

Twitter user Statman Dave noted that this was the strongest first half of Manchester United’s season, but no breakthroughs would come until the 77th minute.

As Manchester United found their second wind after the break, Bruno Fernandes had the ball just inside Crystal Palace’s box and placed the ball right at the feet of Fred at the edge, floating in the ball past keeper Vicente Guaita that sent Old Trafford into a frenzy.

Fans raved about Fred’s winning goal on social media and the Brazilian could not be any happier as he spoke with MUTV in the post-match interview.

“It was good to score in the game but today we win one-nil and my goal is so important. But the most important was the win of the team, the performance, we play very well, clean sheet. The first game of the new coach is so important for us,” said Fred.

With Rangnick at the helm, Manchester United’s matchday fitness was bared to the public as they failed to keep up the attacking, possession-heavy methodologies that Rangnick preferred.

Despite that, the Rangnick era at Old Trafford is set to continue its momentum when they welcome Young Boys on Wednesday, December 8 for their final match in the UEFA Champions League group stages before they head into the knockout round.