Fred has given Erik ten Hag a new problem in Manchester United midfield after Real Sociedad game

The Fred experiment

Fred has had a reinvention at Manchester United since the change of manager last December and his move up the pitch looks like it's continuing under Erik ten Hag.

The Brazilian's ability as a counter-presser was always going to appeal to Ralf Rangnick and there were times under the German when he shifted from playing alongside Scott McTominay to more of a No. 8 role, trying to influence games further up the pitch.

When he was named in a three-man midfield against Real Sociedad that also included Christian Eriksen it was felt he would play deeper. Instead, Fred was as advanced as Bruno Fernandes is, playing as a No. 10, just over the shoulder of Ronaldo.

READ MORE: United player ratings vs Real Sociedad

That left Eriksen in a deeper role, often to the left of Casemiro and often trying to link play between defence and attack. It's a role he's performed superbly so far and seeing his name on the team sheet for a seventh successive game was evidence of how valuable he is to Ten Hag, especially in that position.

Eriksen was excellent yet again in his 45-minute appearance, but Fred's first half in that advanced role was disastrous. His inability to play one-touch passes slowed United down and when he did get the ball away his accuracy was awry.

It's that lack of consistency with the ball at his feet that is the biggest failing of Fred's game and having done well to resurrect his United career last season, he could find himself on the periphery again with performances like this.

Attacking impact

United produced their best attacking performance of the season against Arsenal on Sunday, but this was a much more laboured display and further proof that they are struggling to break down teams with a defensive