Fred is proving his value to Manchester United without even playing

Another weekend, another match in which Fred was overlooked. The Brazilian midfielder had hoped the international break would be a chance for him to finally get some minutes this season, but he'll have to wait if that is to be the case.

Fred was an unused substitute in Brazil's 3-0 win over Ghana last Friday and will be hoping for a recall to the line-up when they face Tunisia in their second friendly encounter tomorrow night.

It clearly suits United if the 29-year-old can gain some involvement this week and maintain match sharpness ahead of the return of club football at the weekend, though it isn't essential.

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He might not be a starter for United or Brazil at the moment, but there is obviously a reason why he remains a valued member of their respective squads and a reason why he keeps his place despite dropping down the pecking order.

Every top team needs a selection of superstars who can win matches on their own with moments of individual brilliance, but just as important are the unsung heroes who do the dirty work and facilitate their talent.

There will always be a drop-off in quality when a star player is missing, and to be a top team, you must ensure there is not a drop-off in terms of work ethic or team cohesion when that is the case. It is for those reasons that Fred remains such a valuable asset to this United side and will continue to be for the rest of the season under Erik ten Hag.

Fred's limitations as a player are well-documented, but part of the reason why he has become a derided figure at United is that he was exposed by the club's wider failings and their previous over-reliance on a player who should be a squad filler rather than a regular starter.