In Focus: Fred's Reds redemption is Ralf's United legacy

Ralf Rangnick's spell as Manchester United interim manager has been forgettable — but Fred could be his lasting legacy.

The Brazilian, 29, has struggled for consistency at Old Trafford after United pipped Manchester City to his signature in the summer of 2018.

But the much-maligned midfielder has enjoyed a new lease of life under Rangnick.

Ahead of United's lunchtime trip to relegation-haunted Everton, we take a look at how Fred has become one of the first names on the Red Devils' team sheet.

Proving a point

There always has to be a scapegoat in football, a go-to player for fans to pin their frustration on when their team fails to deliver.

During Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure, Fred was often that player for United supporters.

Granted, he regularly flattered to deceive. But his shortcomings were a product of Solskjaer's system — which he did not fit — more than anything else.

And Fred will have felt he had a point to prove when Solskjaer left, something he certainly has over the past four months.

Success story

To say that United lacked structure under Solskjaer would be an understatement.

Rangnick has not radically improved anything but the German has restored some semblance of shape to the side.

Fred now has a more discernible role as a box-to-box midfielder, utilising his indefatigable style to its maximum.

Rangnick praised Fred's display in that role during last month's 3-2 win over Tottenham.

He said: "He's probably, together with Scott McTominay, one of the best ball-winners if the other team is in possession.

"He also showed today in quite a few counter-attacks and transitional moments he can play perfect balls, he gave the assist for the first goal to Cristiano [Ronaldo]."

Rangnick appears to have appreciated Fred's ability from day one — and the former Shakhtar Donetsk man looks like being his greatest success story from his short stint in charge.

Getting stuck in

Fred has become more conspicuous since Rangnick took the reins — not least as far as the combative side of his game is concerned.

From the beginning of last season until Solskjaer's final match in charge against Watford in late November, Fred averaged 2.88 attempted tackles per 90 minutes.

Yet under Rangnick, that figure has risen to 3.54 per 90. That is explained by the former RB Leipzig coach's desire to press intensely and Fred has taken to that approach with ease.

He is also contesting more aerial duels — up to 1.28 per 90 to 0.94 under Solskjaer. And he is winning the ball back in the defensive third more often too.

In fact, when it comes to the latter, Fred's average of 4.42 possession regains per 90 since Rangnick took over places him second among all Premier League midfielders.

Only Leicester's one-man wrecking machine Wilfred Ndidi (4.76) fares better across that period.

Among the goals

Fred marked his 100th Premier League appearance by scoring United's equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Leicester.

It was his third goal in 13 top-flight appearances under Rangnick — yet he had only scored three in his previous 87 league outings for the Red Devils.

With greater licence to get forward, Fred has been able to demonstrate what a threat he can be from inside the box.

That was the case as he reacted quickest to Kasper Schmeichel parrying Bruno Fernandes' initial shot at Old Trafford last weekend.

He may still only have found the net eight times in 153 games for United in all competitions but we are perhaps seeing why the South American averaged a goal every 10 matches at former club Shakhtar.

New offer in the offing?

Fred's current Old Trafford contract runs out next summer but United are reportedly preparing to offer him a fresh deal.

That would be a richly-deserved reward for a player who has gone from boo-boy to key man in a matter of months.

And the appointment of a new permanent boss — which looks increasingly likely to be Erik ten Hag — will meet with Fred's approval after he labelled United's decision to go with an interim manager "a bit strange".

Unlike his manager, Fred looks set to remain a key cog at Old Trafford for years to come.