FRED opened up for the first time about his fight to win over Manchester United fans.
Only recently under interim boss Ralf Rangnick have we started to see the best of the Brazilian.
Fred has improved at Manchester United under interim boss Ralf Rangnick
But Fred, 28, admits he still has a long road ahead.
The midfielder said: “It’s a mixed bag — some fans like me and others don’t.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about the results and they will dictate the supporters’ mood. But sometimes even with good results, you will be criticised as well!
“Football is like that, you need to learn to deal with criticism. I listen to constructive criticism, for sure.
“When I hear I’ve missed too many balls in a match, I listen, analyse the match and pay even more attention to correct this aspect of my game on the next chance.
“But there is a lot of criticism just to humiliate you, it’s easy to go on social media and write anything full of hatred.
“I don’t listen to these ones but I praise constructive criticism, it can be helpful sometimes.”
Of course some criticism has come from United greats including legendary skipper Roy Keane and midfielder Paul Scholes.
Fred added: “They had many moments of glory for Manchester United and now they’re paid to give opinions, so I’m fine with it.
“It’s their job and it’s their right to do so. I don’t agree with it but it’s their opinion.
“I’m not confrontational, I’ve heard a lot of negative comments about me, always negative, but I won’t say anything back. My focus is to work on the pitch.”
Yet even Keane is being won over now. The Sky Sports pundit was full of praise at the weekend after Fred came on at Leeds alongside Anthony Elanga with the score locked at 2-2.
The pair turned the game back in United’s favour, both scoring in a 4-2 win.
Keane said: “Fred has definitely improved his finishing and attacking play in the last few months.”
Roy Keane has been a critic of Fred – but admitted he’s improved of late
Paul Scholes has also criticised Fred’s performances in the past
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The player himself admits the performance was his best moment so far in a United shirt, in this his fourth season at the club.
He said: “I think so, yes. I’ve had ups and downs since arriving here.
“I know I’m not the best player, the most technical, but I give my life every time I’m on the pitch.”
Fred feels Rangnick is getting the best out of him because he plays him in the same position he is used in the Brazilian national team.
In an interview with TNT Sports Brazil, he said: “As we say in Brazil, I carry the piano for the artists to play.
“I think it’s important when I’m playing as it gives the offensive players more freedom. I just want to help them.
“It’s been nice to play more like a box-to-box midfielder, it’s my favourite position. I’ve been creating chances and even scoring.
“It’s similar to the position I play internationally for Brazil.”
Fred’s performance as a substitute on Sunday, scoring three minutes after coming on, could earn him a start at Atletico Madrid.
Manchester United train ahead of their trip to Madrid to face Atletico
Fred will have a big role to play if Man Utd are to get a positive result at Atletico
United head to the LaLiga champions’ Wanda Metropolitano Stadium for the first leg of the Champions League last 16.
That will see him back alongside Scott McTominay. The pair have earned the nickname McFred when they play together — something that makes Fred smile.
He said: “I like it! I think it’s because we played a lot of games together.
“He’s a wonderful young player and has developed a lot throughout the years.
“But of course there are still a lot of years ahead of him to improve even more.
“I’m very happy to play alongside him but also it’s important to value every member of our midfield.”
Back-to-back Premier League wins have taken United into fourth spot and also helped to lift the mood at the club against a backdrop of apparent dressing-room disharmony — something Fred denies exists.
He said: “We need to improve our game but it’s not related to the dressing room.
“People say Cristiano Ronaldo did this, other players did that, it’s all nonsense! Our main focus as a group of players is to be united to get better performances and results.
“For example, I’m closer to Alex Telles, so of course I’ll be chatting with him most of the time.
“But it doesn’t mean I won’t be around the English players.
“In the dressing room, I sit next to Marcus Rashford and we have a great relationship.
“We have a united squad. Cristiano is an exceptional guy, on and off the pitch.
“Every day he’s working to get even better and that’s important as an inspiration to all of us — especially the young players. He’s a role model.”
