Galatasaray would be cruising to the Turkish title if they had signed Fred from Premier League giants Manchester United instead of Fenerbahce.
That is the opinion of ɾєρօɾτer Mehmet Demirkol; Fenerbahce’s£13 million summer signing proving once again just what a difference maker he can be with an ‘incredible’ performance in Thursday’s 4-0 hammering of Istanbul Basaksehir.
That, remarkably, maintainedFred’s100 per cent record since departingManchester Unitedover the summer. Fenerbahce havewon all nine gamesin which the Brazil international has featured, last night’s crushing victory seeing Ismail Kartal’s side overtake reigning champions – and bitter rivals – Galatasaray into top spot.
Photo by Orhan Cicek/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
‘Incredible’ Fred shining after Manchester United exit
“If Fred had signed for Galatasaray, they would have closed the league,” quips Demirkol, the experienced midfielder sparking hope of afirst Fener title in a decade.
“(On Thursday), he was incredible.”
Demirkol, speaking toAjansspor, is quick to point out that Fenerbahce’s outstanding run of form is not merely the result of one man, Kartal’s rock-solid backline providing a platform upon which Fred can build.
“This only happens when there is harmony with the defence.Otherwise, Fred will disappear and become ordinary,” the ɾєρօɾτer adds.
Fenerbahce overtake Galatasaray at top of table
Fred, who won his first ever trophy asa Manchester United playerwhen beating Newcastle in last season’s Carabao Cup final, has already struck up an excellent partnership with Ismail Yuksek in the Fenerbahce engine room, fellow veterans Dusan Tadic and Edin Dzeko also making their mark in a side boasting considerable experience and title-winning know-how.
Fred’s Old Trafford replacement, meanwhile, is only just getting started in England’s north west.
Sofyan Amrabat was outstanding on his long-awaited first Manchester United start in the 3-0 midweekhammering of Crystal Palace, combining Fred’s fearsome work-ethic with greater versatility and guile when drifting from left-back into the centre of the park.
“Sofyan is a player who, where the team needs him, he will play,” Ten Hag says of hisformer FC Utrecht ace(Evening Standard). “It’s one of the ɾєɑȿօɴs we signed him. Every player has his best position, but he gives a certain dynamic in the game.
“We just started (the season). The process was a little bit interrupted by the many injuries we had. You see with Mason (Mount), Amrabat, they can contribute to the game and they will do.”
