Ask yourself why Sir Alex Ferguson signed Robin van Persie. It wasn’t to stick it to Arsene Wenger. That was a bonus. No, he needed someone who could provide balance in the Manchester United attack. Always devastating down the left flank…

Although Europa League football isn't what the Old Trafford faithful would have wanted towards last season's end, it's the hand they've been dealt. Those Thursday-Sunday match schedules can be brutal. It takes its toll on the…

It was a disappointing start to the season for Manchester United - before the encounter against Leicester City on Saturday. The Foxes are on the rise under new boss Brendan Rodgers. Having started the campaign on a strong note themselves,…

Manchester United have lacked control in games this season, yet forgotten man Fred can unlock Paul Pogba’s talent and bring stability to a thus-far jagged and loose midfield.  United have been disposed the third-most in the…

If you count Brazilian-born uncapped Italian international Rodrigo Possebon, 18 South Americans have featured for Manchester United in the Premier League era. As a group, they haven’t fared well. While the Premier League doesn’t…

Football fans are a fickle bunch. Up and down the country, supporters change their opinions almost on a week-by-week basis. Just look at Manchester United fans' treatment of Paul Pogba. The mercurial Frenchman was the best thing since sliced…

‘Show me your holding midfielder and I’ll tell you how good your team is’ a wise man once said. Manchester United aspires to be a good team but has all sorts of problems and dilemmas at the base of their midfield. Not only…

When Manchester United outbid Manchester City for Shakhtar midfielder Fred last summer, questions were asked. Did United need the central midfielder? Was he like Alexis Sanchez? Purchased more to keep him out of Pep Guardiola's hands. The…

A 2-0 loss to Cardiff City capped off a rather forgetful season at Old Trafford. After labouring to a distant second place finish the season before, Manchester United struggled to compete for a top-four position in the close season. Jose Mourinho…

The Premier League title starts as a six-horse race, a substantial part of the reason why the English top-tier is arguably the most competitive in Europe. Six teams hold this division by the scruff of the neck both financially and tactically.…

First, let me apologise to Erik ten Hag. I intended to write about the wonderful work he’s doing at Ajax today but Barcelona interfered. He’ll understand. Frenkie de Jong remains his player only until June and possibly Matthijs…

In football, it's not always possible to "emancipate yourself from mental slavery". Often a timely intervention is required. It's understating matters to say Ole Gunnar Solskjaer re-energized Manchester United. He did more.…

Over the summer, excitement grew at Manchester United. The Old Trafford faithful had finally been granted an elite level midfielder who was going to reshape their future... He went by the name of Fred, costing the Red Devils over £50million…

So, it seems Jose Mourinho’s third-season syndrome isn’t a myth after all. Manchester United stumbled out of the gate in August and rather than stabilise the squad, Mourinho's rhetoric sounds increasingly resigned to the situation.…

Supposedly the final piece in Manchester United's midfield jigsaw puzzle, it's fair to say Brazilian international Fred hasn't fit anywhere, let alone as the final piece. The 25-year-old was linked to Manchester City in the…